Predictive Discovery Ltd (ASX:PDI) continues to add to the golden potential of Bankan Project in Guinea with new results of up to 34 metres at 5.5 g/t gold below the NE Bankan resource.
Within this intersection from 441 metres in diamond hole BNERD0102 were 2 metres at 15.5 g/t from 453 metres and 13 metres at 9.6 g/t from 460 metres.
Another diamond hole in the exploration drilling campaign, BNERD00101, returned 21 metres at 2.9 g/t from 574 metres, including 1-metre at 11 g/t from 588 metres, and 13 metres at 4.6 g/t from 601 metres, including 7.3 metres at 7.0 g/t from 606 metres.
New zones revealed
These strong results reveal zones of high-grade gold mineralisation below the US$1,800/ounce resource pit shell and the company is confident of further success at NE Bankan with two drill rigs double shift drilling, targeting extensions to the zone at depth.
Managing director Paul Roberts said: “Deep drilling at NE Bankan continues to extend the high-grade zone to depths of more than 500 metres below surface and remains wide open at depth.
"BNERD0102 intersected the target high-grade gold mineralised zone containing an impressive 34 metres at 5.5 g/t gold including 13 metres at 9.6 g/t gold providing further confirmation that the high-grade zone is at least 150 metres long below the limits of the US$1,800/ounce resource pit shell.
"BNERD0101, the deepest hole drilled so far, intercepted the southern limit of the high-grade zone, having deviated south from its target position and included 13 metres at 4.6 g/t gold from 601 metres.
"Assays are pending for a further three deep drill holes, two of which are currently in progress.”
NE Bankan N-S Longitudinal Projection showing new drill results in red.
Open at depth
Recent drilling has demonstrated that the high-grade zone, beneath the hangingwall shear zone, where it separates mafic volcanics (above) from felsic intrusives (below), is still open at depth.
The deepest drill hole so far returned 13 metres at 4.6 g/t from 601 metres including 7 metres at 7.0 g/t from 606 metres.
While this was somewhat thinner than observed in the central part of the high-grade zone, hole deviation to the south placed the intercept close to the southern limit of the high-grade zone on the next section to the south, where this hole is an improvement on BNERD0100, about 100 metres updip from it.
BNERD0102, a shallower step out hole designed to better define the high-grade zone below the US$1,800/ounce optimised pit shell, obtained the 34-metre intersection.
This is well away from the mafic-felsic contact and has very good widths and grades on both sides of the hangingwall shear zone, suggesting a variation to the geological model as the high-grade zone extends to depth.
Limiting deviation
Drilling more holes in areas of similar geology near the northern margin of the high-grade zone is planned.
Variable hole deviation in recent deeper drill holes has meant that several holes have intersected the hangingwall shear south of or up-dip from the planned target positions.
The company is working with drill contractor, Capital Drilling, to implement several methods to limit deviation in the increasingly long diamond drill holes. Some specialised equipment remains on order and is expected on site in coming weeks.
In just 18 months, the company has completed more than 53,000 metres of RC and diamond drilling on the Bankan Project.
This has returned an inferred resource of 72.8 million tonnes averaging 1.56 g/t gold for 3.65 million ounces, 91% of which came from NE Bankan.
Upcoming work
PDI is continuing diamond drilling and has two multi-purpose drill rigs in operation. Both are drilling holes to depths of 500-650 metres below surface, to explore for deeper extensions of the high-grade gold zone.
After a longer than expected normal rainy season, the company restarted the power auger program last month, testing structural target areas interpreted from the aeromagnetic survey in the southeastern part of the permit area and in the area directly east of NE Bankan.
Diamond and aircore drilling will be suspended for an end of year break on December 18 with crews returning to site in early January, enabling most staff to take some time off with their families after a year of intense activity.
One auger rig will continue drilling through the Christmas period, manned by Kouroussa-based staff.
Predictive is well funded to complete all work programs with A$20 million in cash.