Exceptionally high-grade gold intercepts — including a bonanza hit of 94.84 grams per tonne — have been returned from the first two holes of a drilling campaign at Astral Resources’ (ASX: AAR) Kamperman prospect within the Feysville project in Western Australia.
The company completed eight holes for a total of 1,110 metres comprising four sections on approximately 80 metre spacings.
The work was designed to follow up a diamond drill result reported in April of 10 metres grading 4.57g/t gold from 148m.
High-grade mineralisation
New high-grade mineralisation identified in the first two holes of the campaign occurs at the projected extension to a set of north-north-west trending shears interpreted from the diamond hole.
Best results were 4m at 94.84g/t gold from 77m including 2m at 187.7g/t from 77m; 5m at 8.29g/t gold from 53m including 1m at 38.72g/t from 59m; and 18m at 0.90g/t gold from 15m.
Astral is still awaiting results for the remaining six holes at Kamperman for 840m and a further 15 holes drilled at the Ethereal and Hyperno targets for 1990m.
Satellite source
Managing director Marc Ducler said the results strengthen the potential for Feysville to become a satellite source of high-grade ore feed for a combined development with Astral’s nearby Mandilla project.
“This is a genuine breakthrough for our team and vindicates a disciplined and systematic approach to exploration targeting at this strategically-located project,” he said.
“With an existing 116,000 ounce mineral resource, Feysville is now rapidly emerging as a strong contender to form part of our broader development plan on Kalgoorlie’s doorstep.”
Mandilla comprises the Theia, Iris, Eos and Hestia targets within a global mineral resource of 30 million tonnes grading 1.1g/t gold for 1.03 million ounces.
Geological model
Mr Ducler said the initial results bode well for the evolving geological model for Kamperman and for Astral’s ability to target high-grade gold with further drilling.
“With six holes pending at Kamperman, there is potential to delineate up to 320m of high-grade strike extent, which currently remains open to both the north and south,” he said.
“We have a rig booked for mid-September and we will decide whether it will be deployed first to Mandilla or Feysville once the remainder of the assays have been evaluated.”
