Alien Metals Ltd (AIM:UFO, OTC:ASLRF) reported positive updates from exploration work at its San Celso and Donovan 2 high-grade silver and copper-gold projects in Zacatecas, Mexico ahead of formal drilling results in the coming weeks.
Drilling at the Donovan 2 copper-gold project intersected a 78-metre (m) sulphide bearing zone from a depth of about from 107m. Three other holes have also intercepted a steeply dipping alteration zone at the Los Alamos 'well' target, a potentially significant copper zone associated with historical sample grades of 3.34% copper.
Initial drilling at the high-grade San Celso silver project intersected the targeted mineralised zone.
"We are very pleased to see this initial drilling at San Celso and Donovan 2 intersect showing encouraging zones of alteration,” said chief executive and technical director Bill Brodie Good.
“The Donovan 2 drilling has returned some strong disseminated sulphide intersections, which is highly promising for the potential presence of a VMS [volcanogenic massive sulfide] type mineralised system.”
Three holes were drilled at the western end of the main historic mines at San Celso.
Results from the initial drilling will help define the follow-up drilling options at both projects whilst continuing with the planned Los Campos drilling campaign.
Reverse circulation drilling is being considered as an alternative to diamond core drilling, the company said, as there have been some issues with core recovery rates.
Grades above 1,000 grammes a tonne (g/t) were historically reported from the San Celso and Los Campos silver projects.