Strickland Metals Ltd (ASX:STK) has an aggressive exploration program underway with two rigs operational at its flagship Yandal Projects within the Warburton Mineral Field in Western Australia.
The primary focus to date has been the Horse Well Project along strike from the Earaheedy zinc-lead discovery of Rumble Resources Ltd (ASX:RTR).
Strickland’s aircore rig is two-thirds of the way through an expanded 15,000 metres aircore program, while the reverse circulation (RC) rig has recently begun an expanded 8,500 metres program.
Drilling results are expected throughout the December quarter and beyond.
Promisingly, soil sample assays show an extensive +1,000-metre-long lead, zinc and copper anomaly that corresponds with the gossanous rock chip samples.
Moved quickly to mobilise exploration
Strickland chief executive officer Andrew Bray said: “We are really pleased to have executed the timing of our exploration programs according to the schedule originally planned and communicated to the market.
“While it’s obviously been a very busy time on the acquisition front since new management were appointed in April, we have also moved very quickly to mobilise exploration programs on the ground at our flagship Yandal Project.
“In recent months we have completed significant geophysical work (gravity surveys of the entire project) alongside soil and rock chip sampling.
“In addition, we have commenced evaluation of the existing mineral resources which has highlighted the potential for substantial increases.”
Associated with gossanous material
Assays have been received from the recently completed soil and rock chip sampling program at the Iroquois prospect.
Maximum base metal values from rock chips returned were 1.2% lead, 0.58% zinc and 0.17% copper.
The mineralisation is associated with gossanous material within a northeast-trending structure on the contact between dolomite and chloritic siltstone unit.
Strickland’s current drill programs.
Review of Millrose gold potential
Bray adds: “Outside of ‘on the ground’ exploration, we have also been undertaking a thorough review of the exploration potential around the Millrose mineral resource.
“Millrose currently hosts a 346,000-ounce mineral resource and the company is forming the view that substantial gold ounces can be added very quickly to the existing inventory.
“Large areas of gold mineralisation have been intersected in aircore drilling only, and these have not been included in past resource calculations.”
Aircore program expanded
Strickland’s aircore drilling at Horse North prospect has been increased from an initial 10,000-metre program to a current planned 15,000-metre program.
The program is about two-thirds complete and is targeting over a 3-kilometre section of the Celia Shear zone that has previously been ineffectively drill tested.
The area previously received heritage clearance, which meant the company was able to expedite this aircore program with drilling being undertaken on a 100-metre x 200-metre grid.
Potential for very large system
RC drilling is underway, with an expanded 8,500 metres to be drilled over the coming three months focusing on the Dusk til Dawn target and regional lookalike targets, as well as Iroquois.
Strickland believes the mineralisation is completely open at depth, and the planned holes will drill down dip.
The core biotite-rich potassic alteration zone is broad and suggests there was significant fluid flow which has potential for a very large mineralisation system.
Pyrite is an integral component of this alteration assemblage, and the company is now of the view that this pyrite content is generating the subtle gravity high feature at Dusk til Dawn.
“Rapidly grow resource”
Bray adds: “Pleasingly we also currently have two rigs on site undertaking significant drill programs.
“The drilling has been progressing exceedingly well and we are looking forward to assays starting to flow in during the next quarter.
“The aircore drilling has been predominantly focused on the Horse North Prospect.
“The RC rig is focusing on Dusk til Dawn (gold), regional look-a-like targets, and the Iroquois prospect (zinc-lead), which is directly along strike from Rumble Resources’ exciting Earaheedy discovery.
“Furthermore, the existing mineralisation is totally open along strike and at depth.
“The company will release a summary next week of its planned programs at Millrose, highlighting the fantastic opportunity that exists there to rapidly grow the resource.”