Greatland Gold PLC (LON:GGP) has reported “exceptional” drill results from the Havieron deposit, in Western Australia, confirming continuity of the higher grade mineralisation.
The latest drilling results expand the footprint of the mineralisation within an arcuate sulphide zone as well as surrounding proximal breccia, the company said in a statement.
Highlights of the drill intercepts included grades up to 9.3 grams per tonne (g/t) over 22.8 metres n(m), as well as seeing other cuts with grades of 6.2 g/t, 4.4 g/t and 3.8 g/t.
Greatland said the drilling has helped develop the understanding of the mineralised breccias with broad high-grade intersections reported for a second successive set of results.
"We are delighted by the seventh consecutive set of excellent results from Newcrest's drilling campaign, further demonstrating the robustness and continuity of high-grade mineralisation at Havieron,” Gervaise Heddle, Greatland chief executive said in the statement.
“These results represent another important step towards our near-term objective of a maiden resource at Havieron, and further reinforce the potential to accelerate the timetable for commercial production.”
Newcrest Mining, which is leading the exploration project at Havieron, is presently advancing a concept study to assess the potential to develop the orebody via both underground selective mining and bulk mining. This study is slated to be completed in the second half of this year.
Drilling activity continues at the project with nine rigs in operation, and, a maiden resource estimated is targeted in the second half of 2020. Soon step-out drilling will start along strike, to the north-west and at depth, Greatland said.
A fresh drill campaign of 80,000 metres over 12 months is scheduled to get started in July.
Highlight drill holes
Hole HAD039 intercepted 86 metres @ 2.8 g/t gold plus 0.37% copper and included a 27.1 metre section with 4.4 g/t gold and 0.74% copper.
Hole HAD039W2 cut 148 metres @ 2.7 g/t gold and 0.45% copper, with a 53 metre section with 6.3 g/t gold and 0.71% copper.
HAD043 had 167 metres @ 2.4 g/t gold and 0.66% copper, with 9.3 g/t and 0.96% copper over 22.8 metres.
HAD052 had 234 metres @ 1.7 g/t and 0.29% copper, with 3.8 g/t gold and 0.5% copper over 63 metres.