Astro Resources NL (ASX:ARO) is making strong progress with a diamond drilling program at the Needles Gold Project in Nevada.
At drill hole 1, the company intersected zones of propylitic alteration containing finely disseminated pyrite (often 3-5% pyrite) as well as veining with up to 10% pyrite.
Astro has begun to test the strong DC/IP chargeability anomaly in the centre of the project that suggests the presence of gold with encouraging early indications.
Drill hole 1 update
To date, Astro has completed drill hole 1 to a depth of 384 metres.
Aside from pyrite and minor marcasite, initial logging has not detected other sulphide minerals and, without assays, it is too early to determine if these rocks contain gold.
Notably, Astro has arranged for fast-tracking of the assays and has delivered the core to a laboratory in Tucson, Arizona.
At this stage, the company expects initial assay results around mid-January 2022 with further results anticipated in early to middle February 2022.
Needles Project location and active gold mines.
Drill hole 2 update
Astro has been working closely with the driller and as a result, strong progress has been made on the second hole.
As of the close of business on December 11, 2021, the diamond drill hole had reached 166 metres.
Subsequently, two samples are expected to be collected from the site on December 21, 2021, for processing early in the new year.