Rimfire Pacific Mining NL (ASX:RIM) has completed the initial phase of the planned drilling program funded solely by the Golden Plains Resources (GPR) earn-in for the Sorpresa Development Project and Northern Gold Prospect in the Lachlan Fold Belt of Central NSW.
Results will guide the planning and selection of drill hole locations for the next phase of drilling at the earn-in area that is expected to begin early in 2021.
The primary purpose of the drilling was to obtain bedrock lithological, alteration and geochemical samples for assessment.
Detailed lithological and alternation logging is in progress while geochemical samples have been dispatched to the laboratory, with results expected to be received and released in December 2020 after QA-QC checks are complete.
“Exciting period” for company
Rimfire managing director Craig Riley said: “The commencement of drilling operations following the recent capital raising represents an exciting period of drilling for the company over the next four months as field conditions permit.
“This current phase of work represents the first round of drilling funded by GPR as part of the Earn-in Agreement.”
In May 2020, Rimfire signed an Earn-in Agreement with GPR covering 103 square kilometres at Sorpresa and the surrounding area within Rimfire’s broader Fifield project.
This agreement provides for GPR to earn 51% of the area once conditions are met with GPR funding all activities in this area.
Drilling program
At Northern Gold Prospect, the company drilled four holes totalling 152 metres to obtain bedrock samples from a sectional line across the zone of historical gold pits with a footprint of 400 metres by 80 metres.
This information will help guide decisions on a suitable location for the next phase of drilling.
At Gravity Jog Prospect, immediately south of the Sorpresa Development Project, 14 holes were drilled for 415 metres to obtain bedrock samples from an interesting structural feature identified from geophysical that warrants further testing.
The aircore drilling of 10 holes totalling 257 metres at the Sorpresa Development Project has been carried out to obtain bedrock samples from areas where it is proposed to place infrastructure.
This information will help guide decisions on a suitable location for mine infrastructure such as process plant.
Next round of drilling
The next round of drilling at Rimfire’s 100%-owned The Valley target is scheduled to begin in late November on completion of crop harvesting.
Recent rains have delayed harvesting and hence the beginning of drilling has also been delayed by a couple of weeks.