Kingwest Resources Ltd (ASX:KWR) has begun testing the Stirling and Pericles deposits at its Menzies Gold Project in the WA Goldfields with a 3,000-metre infill reverse circulation (RC) drill campaign aimed at increasing the grade and continuity of the mineralisation.
The company has set the target of drilling 66 holes to infill the Stirling and Pericles resources within the planned pit designs with Stirling the first cab off the rank..
The mineral resource estimate (MRE) for Pericles and Stirling includes indicated category resources for the majority of the near-surface areas but mineralisation remains open with indications that high-grade shoots may continue at depth.
Recent drilling at Stirling.
Growing evidence
Kingwest executive chairman Greg Bittar said: “We are excited to recommence drilling at the Menzies Gold Project following a recent independent review of the resources and historic drilling.
“Menzies has previously produced nearly 787,200 ounces at 19 g/t gold from predominantly narrow, high-grade shoots. There is growing evidence that high-grade zones of mineralisation are hosted within the areas of identified mineralisation that may be attractive high-grade mining targets.
“The board is pleased to have commenced this current drilling program to chase and expand on areas identified as exciting and prospective to host more of what made Menzies one of WA’s historic premier goldfields.”
This drilling program will also test unexplored areas which follow existing mineralisation trends.
The infill drilling will take drill spacing to a nominal 20 metres by 20 metres with some closer-spaced drilling to confirm the high-grade zone being interpreted in the recent resource model.
Historic goldfield
Menzies Gold Project is one of Western Australia’s major historic gold fields and is about 130 kilometres north of Kalgoorlie's globally significant gold deposits.
The project covers a contiguous land package over a strike length in excess of 15 kilometres and within the area, a series of structurally controlled high-grade gold deposits have been historically mined and display extensive exploration potential for high-grade extensions.
Since its closure more than 20 years ago, modern exploration has been limited prior to Kingwest acquiring the project in 2019.
All deposits at Menzies lie within the company’s granted mining leases and are 100%-owned by Kingwest. Current JORC mineral resources total 505,100 ounces at 1.33 g/t gold using a 0.5 g/t cut-off.
Significantly, the project lies on the Goldfields Highway, has power and water and is within trucking distance of numerous gold processing plants.
Menzies aerial view showing the main mineralised systems as well as the MRE locations.