Astro Resources NL (ASX:ARO) has increased resources by 53% in an updated resource estimate for its Governor Broome Heavy Minerals Project in Western Australia’s southwest.
The asset is now reported to host 52 million tonnes of ore, grading 4.6% heavy minerals in the indicated category, thanks to additional resources from its Jack Track tenement.
Governor Broome also holds 66 million tonnes at 4% heavy minerals in the inferred classification.
All in all, the resource update represents a 53% upgrade on Governor Broome’s total resource tonnage — up to 118 million tonnes from 77 million — and is likely to increase the life span of a possible mine.
Following the update, Astro intends to commence infill drilling at Jack Track as soon as possible in a bid to convert inferred resources to the indicated category.
The updated mineral resource estimate for Governor Broome Project:
Fast-track to commercialisation
Speaking to the mineral resource update, Astro chairman Jacob Khouri said: “The increase in resource tonnage from 77 million tonnes to 118 million tonnes is an outstanding outcome for Astro and its shareholders.
“It takes the Governor Broome Project to another level and will assist on a fast-track trajectory towards commercialisation.
“I am confident that with this upgrade and the backing of our major shareholders, the goal of building a mine at the Governor Broome Project will become a reality.”
New resource estimate
Governor Broome’s updated, JORC 2012-compliant resource is based on historical drilling results from 2007, 2012 and 2015.
The new estimates cover four key areas - the Jack Track, Jack Track Northwest, Jack Track West and Jack Track Southwest deposits - which form a key part of the Governor Broome tenure.
Astro estimated the updated resources at a 2% heavy minerals block-cut-off-grade — the same metric applied to Governor Broome’s other deposits.
Previously, the resource for the Jack Track deposit was estimated at 19 million tonnes of ore at 4.7% heavy minerals, but this has now increased to 28 million tonnes at 4.1%.
Coming up
In a bid to further upgrade its resources from the inferred to the indicated category, Astro is preparing to embark on infill drilling across the Jack Track deposits.
Exploration is planned for the first quarter of next year and Astro is currently preparing for the program by securing landowner consent and regulatory approval.
In addition, a scoping is planned to incorporate both the Governor Broome and Jack Track deposits, including the results from the proposed drilling.
The study will update previous analysis on the project, which was based on a resource estimate that reported 30 million tonnes at 4.9% heavy minerals in the indicated category.
With the resource now totalling 118 million tonnes at 4.4%, the new study will also incorporate metallurgical assays from recent test-work on a bulk sample of mineralisation from the Governor Broome Project.
