Bezant Resources PLC (AIM:BZT) reported the results of a recent drill programme targeting previously untested near-surface copper-gold mineralisation on the Hope and Gorob project in Namibia.
Drill assay results have been received for eight diamond drillholes testing near-surface copper mineralisation at the Gorob prospect.
These have returned significant intercepts, including 2.16% copper and 0.35 grams per tonne gold over 2.4 metres and 2.03% copper and 0.18 grams gold over 5.5 metres.
The holes are part of a 23-hole programme recently completed over five prospects: Gorob, Anomaly, Vendome, Du Preez and Hope.
The assays to date confirm that strong copper-gold mineralisation extends to surface from the deeper historic drill intercepts.
The results indicate scope for additional open pit potential at several sites across the wider licence area, in addition to the already established underground resources.
Further strike extensions remain to be tested over a minimum strike length of three kilometres.
“We are very pleased with these results in that all previous narratives and testing of the deposit neglected the first 150 metres from surface, based on the assumption that the deposit was either absent or in oxide form, which in the 1970s was very difficult to treat,” said Bezant executive chairman Colin Bird.
“Our prognosis was that the historic assumption overlooked a potentially significant near-surface resource, and we therefore entered into the recent test programme. The results attained to date are very pleasing and have put a completely new perspective on the Hope and Gorob complex. Whilst we have yet to receive assay results from Hope, visual indication suggests a similar situation exists at Hope. In addition to copper, gold assay results from our drilling suggests that an associated or possibly disassociated gold system also exists at Gorob. We feel that Hope and Gorob is going to be a major addition to the Bezant portfolio and the potential for a large copper/gold system certainly exists."