Eastern Metals Ltd (ASX:EMS) has kicked off a diamond drilling program for copper at its flagship asset, the Home of Bullion Mine in the Northern Territory.
This is the first of a two-phase resource drilling program designed to expand the existing resource estimate at the project.
Notably, the identified mineral resource estimate for the Home of Bullion deposit is 2.5 million tonnes averaging 1.8% copper, 2.0% zinc, 36g/t silver, 1.2% lead and 0.14g/t gold.
Moving forward, Eastern’s current drill program will consist of six holes across 1,550 metres and is expected to take about four weeks to complete.
Strategy to increase tonnage
Eastern managing director and CEO Wayne Rossiter said: “Following receipt of the final approval required to commence drilling at Home of Bullion we have moved rapidly to secure drilling contractors and commence drilling operations.
“Our strategy at Home of Bullion is to increase the tonnage of this already high-grade deposit through both expansion of the existing JORC resource estimate as well as to identify further areas of mineralisation where other lodes may exist within this interpreted VMS system.
“Our resource expansion drilling will be undertaken in two phases with the current program being the first.”
Advanced exploration project
Eastern’s flagship asset in the Northern Territory is the Home of Bullion mine at Barrow Creek on EL23186, which was acquired from Kidman Resources.
Classified as an advanced exploration project, the deposit comprises two distinct lodes – the main and south lode.
Notably, the south lode is open along strike to the south and at depth.
This program is testing for extensions to the previously defined mineralised envelope where it has yet to be closed off along strike or down dip.
Pad preparation for the first three of these holes is complete with logistical support in place for drilling operations.
Two holes outside of the existing resource envelope will be funded for up to $142,000 from competitive grants recently won under the NT Government’s Resourcing the Territory initiative.