Group Eleven Resources Corp has announced the discovery of high-grade massive sulphides as part of an initial step-out reconnaissance drill program at its 100%-interest Ballywire zinc prospect at the PG West Project in Ireland.
The company said drill holes G11-468-03 intersected a broad zone of zinc-lead-silver mineralization over a width of 66.0 metres (m), including four higher-grade zones, with its true width estimated to be 80%-100% of intercepted width.
"Given the large step-out, the wide zone of mineralization and grades up to 52.4% Zn+Pb (zinc plus lead), G11-468-03 is one of the best holes drilled in Ireland over recent years. This fantastic result validates our team's hard work building a robust geological understanding of our large license area over the last several years," said Bart Jaworski, Group Eleven CEO in a statement.
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He added: "Ballywire is situated at the intersection of the Pallas Green Corridor and the south-westerly projection of the famous Rathdowney Trend, which hosts the historic Lisheen and Galmoy zinc mines. Given the above results and coupled with hole G11-468-01 drilled in 2021, Ballywire is starting to exhibit signs of a large system with high-grade zinc-lead mineralization now pierced by three holes over approximately 1.5 kilometres (km). Exploration upside remains wide open reflecting sparse historic drilling. Notably, the next nearest historic hole to test the target horizon to the ENE is 3 km away, and yet still hosts an appreciable 5.0m of 1.6% Zn+Pb."
Jaworski concluded: "Unlike Carrickittle where high-grade mineralization is steeply dipping, Ballywire mineralization appears to be bedding-parallel along the base of the Waulsortian limestone. This implies relatively enhanced tonnage potential, as well as, similarities to the morphology of classic Irish-type zinc deposits. Overall, with our compelling deep target at Carrickittle West announced in June, high-grade massive sulphides discovered nearby at Carrickittle in 2020 and now this discovery at Ballywire, the prospectivity of our extensive land package has never been more exciting. We look forward to updating the market on next steps at Ballywire and our other projects over the near term."
G11-468-03 drilling highlights:
- 5.00m of 8.3% Zn+Pb (6.2% Zn and 2.1% Pb) and 107 grams per ton (g/t) silver (Ag), starting at 228.2m downhole, including 2.03m of 18.8% Zn+Pb (13.9% Zn and 4.9% Pb) and 227 g/t Ag
- 6.85m of 15.4% Zn+Pb (11.1% Zn and 4.3% Pb) and 160 g/t Ag (starting at 251.6m), including 2.05m of 40.8% Zn+Pb (30.5% Zn and 10.3% Pb) and 385 g/t Ag
- 1.71m of 12.2% Zn+Pb (10.3% Zn and 1.9% Pb) and 38 g/t Ag (starting at 268.9m)
- 0.96m of 5.1% Zn+Pb (4.4% Zn and 0.8% Pb) and 15 g/t Ag (starting at 274.7m)
The company said the intercepts contain several massive sulphide zones up to 2.95m thick downhole.
The discovery hole represents a 410m step-out NE of G11-468-01 which intersected 3.30m of 12.5% Zn+Pb (10.1% Zn and 2.4% Pb) and 48 g/t Ag. The discovery area around G11-468-03 remains open and untested along strike for approximately 3 km to the east northeast (ENE) and 1.5 km to the west (W), as well as, up-dip to the north northwest (NNW) for at least 500m and immediate follow-up drilling is highly warranted
The Ballywire zinc prospect is located at the intersection of the south-westerly projection of the Rathdowney Trend, which hosts the historic Lisheen and Galmoy zinc mines, and the Pallas Green Corridor. Historic drilling at the prospect was sparse, last being worked by operators in 2008. Group Eleven staked the prospect in 2016 based on compelling results from the two most-recent historic holes.
The 2022 drill program at Ballywire consisted of four step-out holes totalling 1,400m. Individual holes stepped-out between 323-546m from G11-468-01, which intersected 3.30m of 12.5% Zn+Pb (10.1% Zn and 2.4% Pb) and 48 g/t Ag.
All four holes intercepted zinc mineralization; however, G11-468-03 returned an especially wide interval containing many high-grade lenses. Also noteworthy, a second hole, G11-3552-01 - a 546m step-out to the ESE from G11-468-01 - intersected a wide zone of mineralization over 38.55m grading 0.64% Zn+Pb (0.44% Zn and 0.20% Pb), including 0.58m of 4.54% Zn+Pb (3.25% Zn and 1.29% Pb) and 23 g/t Ag and 0.35m of 6.24% Zn+Pb (3.28% Zn and 2.96% Pb) and 13 g/t Ag.
High-grade mineralization consists of semi-massive and massive sphalerite and galena, with lower-grade zones consisting of vein-hosted and/or disseminated sphalerite and galena.
Drilling to date at Ballywire consistently shows mineralized zones to be generally bedding parallel along the base of the Waulsortian limestone similar to the morphology of classic Irish-type zinc deposits. The base of the Waulsortian limestone at Ballywire dips to the south southeast (SSE), shallowing to the NNW. Altogether, high-grade zinc-lead mineralization at Ballywire is now pierced by three holes over approximately 1.5 km.
The discovery area around G11-468-03 remains open and untested along strike for approximately 3 km to the ENE and 1.5 km to the W, as well as, up-dip to the NNW for at least 500m. Notably, the next nearest historic hole testing the target horizon to the ENE (99-3552-05) is 3 km away and intersected 5.00m of 1.6% Zn+Pb. Immediate follow-up drilling is highly warranted.
Group Eleven Resources is a mineral exploration company focused on advanced-stage zinc exploration in Ireland.
Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com