East Star Resources PLC (LSE:EST)’s investors can look forward to a further 5,000 metres of drilling later this year at the Apmintas and Dalny licences in the Chu-Ili orogenic gold belt, central Kazakhstan.
The company has contracted IG Global Group (IGG) subsidiary IG Copper and Gold Kazakhstan (IGKZ) for the programme.
"We are delighted to be working with IGG on this 2022 drill programme,” said chief executive Alex Walker.
“They have extensive experience working in Kazakhstan and other CIS countries not only as an operator but as an extremely successful explorer.
“The quality of the geological team that will support the drilling operators cannot be underestimated and the extra checks and balances this provides will ensure East Star conducts the most efficient and thorough exploration programme possible."
Walker added: "Diamond drilling is expected to provide an enhanced picture of the various orebodies, including the extent of disseminated ore, and their orientation and to allow the company to test targets at depth, potentially adding scale and longevity to future operations.
“Furthermore, by using diamond core, work can be undertaken on the minerology and metallurgy including conducting 'gravity recovered gold' testing to begin establishing a processing route for eventual production.''
This new wave of drilling follows early ‘bonanza’ exploration success at Apmintas.
In January, the company saw high gold grades of 4.51 grams per tonne across 63 metres starting from surface, with up to 14.35 g/t over 19 metres at a depth of 44 metres. The ‘discovery hole’ ended still in the mineralisation, leaving it open at depth.
Results from other holes in the initial programme counted four higher grade veins, one of which included a bonanza grade zone which measured 131.4 g/t gold in two metres.