Torrens Mining Ltd (ASX:TRN) has started a passive seismic survey at its 100%-owned Mt Piper Gold Project in Central Victoria and is also undertaking a soil geochemical sampling program.
Mt Piper is about 30 kilometres from Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd’s (ASX:KLA) Fosterville gold mine and only 1-kilometre from Mandalay Resources Corp’s (TSE:MND) Costerfield gold mine.
Passive seismic surveying is a surface geophysical survey method used to rapidly define geological structures, which is able to focus on gold mineralisation and the thickness of cover rocks.
The survey is non-invasive and involves the measurement of natural or ambient seismic vibrations.
Results will be used to help Torrens plan drill hole location and targets.
Expected to enhance understanding
Torrens managing director Steve Shedden said: “The use of passive seismic in gold exploration is a relatively new technique, but we’re excited to employ it at Mt Piper, given the success Chalice Mining Ltd (ASX:CHN) had at their Pyramid Hill Gold Project.
“Torrens has also been involved with its use at its Elizabeth Creek Copper Project in South Australia.
“This non-invasive geophysical technique is expected to greatly improve Torrens’ understanding of the basement structures and materially assist us in refining our drill hole locations for 2021.”
Survey procedure
The company has collected survey data, using a ‘tissue box’ sized miniaturised seismometer, which is placed on the ground at 50-metre spacings and left in place for 20 minutes, during which time the geologist undertaking this work maps the surrounding geology.
Survey data is downloaded at the end of each day’s work and Torrens expects to receive the results processed by consulting geophysicists, Resource Potentials in Perth, by early April 2021.
Earlier in 2019, a passive seismic survey was completed over Chalice’s Pyramid Hill Gold Project and
successfully defined the bedrock and several geological structures.
Next steps
The company plans to complete the ongoing soil sampling, passive seismic surveying and geological mapping over gold target areas.
It is also completing a regional geophysical interpretation and target generation, along with the planning of first-pass drill targeting.