Pan Asia Metals Ltd’s (ASX:PAM) assays for the final four holes of a drilling program confirm wide, high-grade near-surface tungsten mineralisation at Than Pho West prospect (TPW) within the Khao Soon Tungsten Project (KSTP) in southern Thailand.
According to the company, the results are in line with exploration target models with best results including:
- 10 metres at 0.39% tungsten trioxide from 27 metres including 2.1 metres at 0.95% from 34.4 metres;
- 46.5 metres at 0.32% tungsten trioxide from 34.4 metres including 3.5 metres at 0.92% from 74.9 metres;
- 20.1 metres at 0.74% tungsten trioxide from 48.6 metres including 5 metres at 1.1% from 51.9 metres; and
- 15.1 metres at 0.10% tungsten trioxide from 35.9 metres including 4.3 metres at 0.17% from 35.9 metres.
This brings an end to the priority one drilling program at Khao Soon, which saw the completion of 19 holes for a total of 1601.5 metres.
Drilling confirms mineralised zone
Pan Asia Metals managing director Paul Lock said: “We are pleased to see the final assays for this phase of drilling come through and reinforce previous drilling results and the Exploration Target model.
“We are particularly pleased with the way the Than Pho West prospect is shaping up - drilling has confirmed a thick, shallow dipping mineralised zone with true widths up 63 metres supported by numerous very high-grade intersections over good widths.
“In a low-cost environment such as SE Asia, and in close proximity to advanced industrial centres, the Khao Soon Tungsten Project is shaping up to be a peer group leader both in grade and size.”
One of PAM’s key assets
KSTP is one of PAM’s key assets and a large historical high-grade producer.
Modern exploration has discovered potentially world-class, district-scale tungsten mineralisation across numerous prospects.
Previous diamond drilling by PAM intersected robust widths and grades associated with strong surface anomalies, from which exploration targets have been estimated.
The results received from TPW, support and generally enhance previously reported spot hand-held XRF analysis of drill core and PAM notes a general increase in tungsten trioxide (WO3) concentrations.
Follow up planning
The new results will be used to enhance geological interpretations and grade modelling to update the exploration target.
At some prospects, it is anticipated that PAM may be able to report an inaugural inferred mineral resource estimate, subject to ongoing success.
Further drilling is planned at several prospects.