Alta Zinc Ltd’s (ASX:AZI) drilling and channel sampling in Ponente area of the Gorno Project in northern Italy has returned multiple high-grade zinc and lead intersections with added silver.
Step out drilling and channel sampling at Ponente has confirmed continuity of thick and high-grade mineralisation a further 125 metres east, with best results of:
- 12.8 metres at 11.4% zinc and 2.2% lead (13.5% zinc+lead) and 30 g/t silver (aggregate of channel sample POCH14 and drill hole POD11);
- 5.4 metres at 8.6% zinc and 1.9% lead (10.5% zinc+lead) and 30 g/t silver; and
- 10.6 metres at 5.7% zinc and 1.4% lead (7.0% zinc+lead) and 10 g/t silver (aggregate of channel sample POCH12 and drill hole POD13).
Close spaced sidewall channel sampling between drill coverage demonstrates good continuity of high-grade mineralisation, returning:
- 2.2 metres at 11.4% zinc and 2.5% lead (13.9% zinc+lead) and 26 g/t silver; and
- 2.1 metres at 8.2% zinc and 2.3% lead (10.5% zinc+lead) and 30 g/t silver.
Upcoming resource estimate
The two diamond rigs are now focused on drilling the western zone of Ponente for its inclusion in the upcoming mineral resource estimate.
Alta Zinc managing director Geraint Harris said: “Ponente drilling and channel sampling continues to push out the extent of the mineralisation and it is very encouraging to see these high grades and good thicknesses being defined with consistency.
“These results will flow into our upcoming mineral resource estimate and with two drill rigs now in Ponente we will endeavour to complete coverage of the Ponente West area prior to the MRE data cut-off.
“However, Ponente remains wide open to the north, east and south with many exciting drilling targets, giving us significant additional growth potential post resource estimate.”
Plan view of recent drilling and channel sampling by Pads D to F in Ponente West.
Drilling plans
Mineralisation at Ponente remains open to the northeast, east and south.
Geological interpretation of historical exploration data suggests the mineralisation may extend around 400 metres to the northeast into an area where historical drilling intersected mineralisation, which is visible in the sidewalls, and around 300 metres to the south where it may extend to the northern end of the current Zorzone resource area.
These extension areas will be drilled and channel sampled in due course.
Looking forward, a strong news flow is expected from the ongoing dual rig drill program at Ponente and upcoming results from Pian Bracca South.