Meteoric Resources NL (ASX:MEI) is continuing to drill at pace with two rigs at the Novo Astro Gold Project in Brazil ahead of first assay results.
The company has completed eight holes in the first-ever drilling at the project with the first two of these logged and dispatched for assays earlier this month.
As a result of delays at the ALS Sample Preparation facility in Goiania in Brazil's Goias State due to a larger than expected volume of sample throughput, the initial Novo Astro results are now not expected to be received by Meteoric until mid-December.
Review of procedures
Managing director Andrew Tunks said: “The delay at the laboratory, which does happen at times, is disappointing as we are just as keen as our shareholders to see what the first-ever drill results from Novo Astro deliver.
“As a result, we will be undertaking a complete review of our procedures and service providers around sampling and assays over the coming months.
“This review will include the costing of a sample preparation facility on-site, which would result in a significant reduction in transport times and costs and allow us to potentially use airfreight.”
"Two rigs turning"
Tunks added: “The drilling at Novo Astra is continuing at pace with two rigs turning.
"Eight holes are now complete with holes NADD009 (Mateus) and NADD010 (Graça) underway.
“At this stage, we are now 1,500 metres into the planned 2,500-metre program, with all holes being drilled past target depth due to the presence of significant alteration noted in the holes."
Juruena program
Tunks said that over at the Juruena project, hole JUDD022 was targeting the depth extension of Dona Maria 70 metres below the existing mineral resource model.
This hole is now in alteration at the target depth.
“The rig will then move south to complete a final hole at Tomate, which will bring the Juruena program to a close for 2019,” he said.