Yandal Resources Ltd drilling is continuing to demonstrate the potential to make new gold discoveries at multiple prospects within the Gordons Gold Project near Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.
The company has revealed an update on its drilling during the June and September quarters at the prospects, with some highly encouraging downhole results from shallow depths.
Location map of key prospects within the Gordons Gold Project in relation to nearby operating third party gold mines, project tenure and regional geology.
Star of Gordon Prospect
Star of Gordon is 2 kilometres along strike from the Gordon Sirdar underground gold mine which is owned and operated by FMR Investments.
FMR is currently mining ~60,000 tonnes of ore per month using conventional underground mining methods and transporting the ore via road haulage for processing at their mill in Coolgardie.
Yandal has received individual 1-metre fire-assay results from five of nine reverse circulation (RC) holes for 1,650 metres completed at Star of Gordon during the June and September quarters.
Four-metre composite results have also been returned from one hole.
The holes have returned some highly encouraging downhole results from shallow depths including:
- 10 metres at 8.4g/t Au (gold) from 43 metres including 1 metre at 52.5g/t Au
- 12 metres at 1.1g/t Au from 44 metres including 4 metres at 3.0g/t Au
Cross Section plan of the Star of Gordon gold prospect
To date, gold mineralisation has been intersected within strongly oxidised to transitional material and in primary rocks.
The mineralisation is contained within disseminated sulphides and quartz veins within a mafic package that is interpreted to be partially intruded by porphyry and dolerite rocks.
Further drilling to start in October
Preparation to conduct new heritage surveys to cover the entire Star of Gordon area is at an advanced stage and a survey is planned to commence in the December quarter.
Approvals to conduct substantial new infill and extensional RC drill programs including initial diamond drilling is also underway.
It is currently anticipated that extensional RC drilling will recommence in October.
Malone Prospect
At the Malone Prospect, individual 1-metre fire-assay results have been received from 13 RC holes and composite aqua-regia assays have been received from one hole (total of 2,239 metres).
The holes were completed in the June and September Quarters and have returned some encouraging results including:
- 8 metres at 1.3g/t Au from 88 metres including 2 metres at 2.0g/t Au
- 8 metres at 0.8g/t Au from 144 metres including 1 metre at 4.6g/t Au
A four-hole diamond drilling program for 1,852.2 metres was completed in September to test depth extensions and improve the geological understanding of the area in a jog position of the Malone contact where high-grade oxide and primary RC intercepts had previously been discovered.
Assay results have been returned from hole YRLDD0009 & 10 with multiple low level gold intervals defined within several units.
The core from the remaining two holes is currently undergoing geological logging, cutting and assaying with results anticipated during the December Quarter.
Aircore results
In addition, 4-metre composite and some individual 1-metre samples have been returned from 87 aircore (AC) drill holes for 6,080 metres in areas adjacent to and potentially related to the Malone contact.
A number of highly encouraging results have extended the area of anomalous mineralisation including:
- 6 metres at 0.8g/t Au from 43 metres including 1 metre at 4.1g/t Au; and
- 4 metres at 2.3g/t Au from 53 metres including 1 metre at 8.8g/t Au
Gordons Dam Prospect
At the Gordons Dam Prospect, individual fire-assay results have been received from four holes for 379 metres.
The holes have returned some encouraging results including:
- 2 metres at 1.0g/t Au from 45 metres including 1 metre at 1.7g/t Au (YRLRC573A)
- 2 metres at 1.1g/t Au from 47 metres.
In addition, a single diamond hole for 261.50 metres was completed with the aim to improve the structural understanding of high-grade mineralisation at depth.
Assays are pending for the hole with results expected to be available in the December quarter.
As part of the initial feasibility study and mining approvals, a 4,500 metres shallow RC program has commenced with the aim to infill known mineralisation areas to provide sufficient data for the compilation of an initial Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE).
The initial MRE is planned for completion in the March Quarter 2022.
Andrews Prospect
At the Andrews Prospect, individual fire-assay results have been received from 11 RC holes (1,949 metres) and 61 reconnaissance AC holes (7,926 metres).
The holes were targeting potential extensions to mineralisation south from the Malone prospect in similar geological settings.
They have returned some encouraging RC results including:
- 9 metres at 1.4g/t Au from 95 metres including 2 metres at 3.9g/t Au
- 1 metre at 1.7g/t Au from 125 metres
- 2 metres at 1.0g/t Au from 110 metres
The results are currently being reviewed to prioritise follow-up RC targets for commencement in the December Quarter.
Cleft Prospect
At the Cleft Prospect, fire-assay results have been received from seven RC holes (852 metres).
The holes were targeting potential extensions to some anomalous recent and historic reconnaissance drilling results.
They have returned some encouraging results including:
- 2 metres at 14.4g/t Au from 88 metres including 1 metre at 24.3g/t Au
- 1 metre at 2.7g/t Au from 142 metres
The results are currently being reviewed to prioritise follow-up RC targets for commencement in the December Quarter.
Next steps
Yandal has planned key exploration activities during the December quarter including:
- Receive and interpret pending AC, RC and diamond drill assays from the Malone, Gordons Dam, Star of Gordon, Andrews, Bradman, Challenger, Parmelia, Success and HMS Sulphur prospects;
- Assess potential to compile an open-pit MRE and commence feasibility studies for the Gordons Dam prospect; and
- Commence detailed planning and execution of heritage surveys over key prospect areas within the Ironstone Well and Barwidgee projects including priority areas adjacent to and along strike from the Flushing Meadows, Oblique, Quarter Moon, Flinders Park and Sims Find prospects.