St George Mining Ltd (ASX:SGQ) has finalised targets for the first phase of a 2020 drill program at its flagship Mt Alexander Nickel-Copper Sulphide Project in WA's North-Eastern Goldfields.
Phase-1 will begin with two rigs at the site – a reverse circulation (RC) rig and a diamond rig - to test multiple electromagnetic (EM) and geological targets for nickel-copper sulphides.
A field crew has mobilised to site and is completing preparations for the planned drilling, which is set to begin around March 20.
Program to deliver “important milestones”
Executive chairman John Prineas said: “This drill program is designed to deliver several important milestones for the Mt Alexander project.
“The first-ever drilling of priority targets at West End and Fish Hook has the potential to deliver a new discovery.
“We already have four shallow, high-grade discoveries at the Cathedrals Belt – Investigators, Stricklands, Cathedrals and Radar – and we are excited at the opportunity to potentially add to our tally.”
Targeting low-capex high-profit mining
Prineas added: “The resource definition drilling of the shallow high-grade deposit at Stricklands is also highly anticipated as we continue to work towards a potential mining operation at Mt Alexander.
“Our target is to deliver a low-capex, high-profit margin mining proposal for Stricklands.
“Extensional drilling will also resume at Investigators where we will drill the deepest holes ever for the belt.
“Together with the pending results of the magnetotelluric (MT) survey, which will map the mineralised structures and stratigraphy at depth, our search for potential deeper deposits will escalate in 2020.”
Looking ahead
Once the rig has arrived on site the company aims to drill pre-collars for the deeper diamond holes planned for West End and Investigators.
The RC rig will then mobilise to Fish Hook to drill the planned holes at that prospect before moving on Stricklands to complete resource definition drilling.
Potential greenfields discovery
Drilling at West End and Fish Hook has the potential to deliver a greenfields discovery, with both areas featuring compelling new EM targets that have never been drilled.
The diamond rig is scheduled to arrive at the site shortly after the RC rig and will initially complete six metallurgical holes at Stricklands.
Diamond drilling of targets at West End and Investigators will follow.
Drill schedule subject to change
The scheduled drilling is subject to change in response to drill results, DHEM survey results, weather conditions and other factors that the company believes warrant a change to the schedule.
Further drilling at the Radar and Fairbridge prospects will also be planned during the 2020 drill program.