Astro Resources (ASX:ARO) reports that infill drilling at its Governor Broome Mineral Sands Project has been making ‘strong’ progress, with 339 holes drilled for a combined 3,570m at the Jack Track Northwest, West, and Southwest.
The company notes that the work is designed to provide a clear pathway to unlocking the value of the project, with 207 holes for about 2,300m yet to be drilled, and due for completion by early May.
Upon receipt of results from the campaign, Astro will conduct a Mineral Assemblage analysis. Additionally, an updated Mineral Resource will be undertaken once these results have been returned, which is anticipated to be completed by the end of August.
“I am pleased to see the excellent progress we have made with the in-fill drilling”
Astro states these milestones will allow the company to embark on a Scoping Study which is to be completed in Q1 2024.
Commenting on the company’s progression, Astro Resources Executive Chairman, Tony Leibowitz said: “I am pleased to see the excellent progress we have made with the in-fill drilling, with the completion of this pivotal program now in clear sight.
This will mark an important step in advancing the Governor Broome Project towards a scoping study.”
The in-fill drilling program was designed to test areas within the mineral resource currently in the inferred category at the ‘high-grade’ Jack Track deposit portion of the project, in order to upgrade the category to the higher confidence Indicated Resource status.
Astro notes further drill data is required to be collected as part of the program, in order to upgrade Mineral Resource Estimates for these areas from inferred to indicated categorisation.
The Jack Track deposit contains a ‘high-value’ mineral assemblage, with testwork results announced in November 2022, revealing a heavy mineral assemblage containing 96.5% valuable heavy minerals, including 10.5% zircon, and 85.5% titanium minerals, with the primary ilmenite containing 58% TiO2.
The Governor Broome Project is located 95km by sealed road south of Busselton, and 135km from Bunbury Port and from Picton.
Astro Resources is an ASX-listed diversified exploration company, focused on advancing its diversified portfolio of ‘high-quality’ projects, including the Georgina Basin IOCG Project in the Northern Territory, the Governor Broome Minerals Sands Project in Western Australia, and the Needles Gold Project in Nevada, U.S.
Images: Astro Resources N.L.
