Diamond Drilling at Dargues Mine

Aurelia Metals reports high-grade gold hits from Dargues infill drill program

Aurelia Metals Limited (ASX: AMI) has announced high-grade gold mineralisation including 36.53 metres at 5.4g/t Au, including 5.53 metres at 9.6g/t Au from the Resource upgrade and extensional drilling campaign at its newly acquired Dargues Mine near Braidwood, New South Wales.

Other significant intercepts at Dargues Mine included 15.5 metres at 7.8g/t Au, 4.55 metres at 27.7g/t Au, 8.3 metres at 8.2g/t Au, including 1.5 metres at 32.9g/t Au, 6.7 metres at 10.0g/t Au, and 3.0 metres at 15.5g/t Au.

The company announced that the results highlight significant potential Resource upside at Dargues.

AMI said that the extensional drilling is currently underway with two surface drill rigs operating at the site.

Infill drilling at Dargues

The company had initiated an underground infill drilling program immediately after the Dargues acquisition to increase confidence in the existing MRE and Ore Reserve Estimate.

AMI said that the lower portion of Plum’s Lode at the eastern extent of the underground mine was the first target area, returning significant intercepts. The company said that the infill drilling around active development levels on the Main and Bonanza lodes has also returned highly encouraging intercepts.

High-grade gold intersections

Aurelia announced that significant intercepts were reported from Plum’s Lode, and Main and Bonanza lodes within the Dargues Mine.

Plum’s Lode

Important hits from Plum’s Lode included DRU026: 14.3 metres at 8.8g/t Au; DRU027: 26.3 metres at 4.8g/t Au, including 10.5 metres at 7.6g/t Au; and DRU025: 8.3 metres at 8.2g/t Au, including 1.5 metres at 32.9g/t Au.

Main and Bonanza lodes

Significant intersections from Main and Bonanza lodes included DRU042: 36.53 metres at 5.4g/t Au, including 5.53 metres at 9.6g/t Au, 15.5 metres at 7.8g/t Au, and 4.55 metres at 27.7g/t Au; DRU036: 12.1 metres at 5.0g/t Au and 7.63 metres at 12.0g/t Au; DRU029: 6.15 metres at 11.8g/t Au and 1.91 metres at 17.8g/t Au; DRU043: 6.7 metres at 10.0g/t Au and 3.85 metres at 8.0g/t Au; DRU030: 3.0 metres at 15.5g/t Au and 2.05 metres at 9.2g/t Au; and DRU041: 3.5 metres at 8.9g/t Au and 5.3 metres at 9.6g/t Au.

Significant intersections for the drill holes are as shown below.

Significant potential Resource upside

The Company announced said that it has identified significant exploration upside potential at Dargues with the existing Mineral Resource Estimate constrained by a lack of drilling information.

Updates and next steps

Aurelia announced that underground infill drilling is continuing in the Main and Bonanza Lodes, aimed at upgrading confidence in areas of the MRE that have lower density drilling.

The company said that two surface rigs recently commenced drilling. One rig is targeting deeper mineralisation directly below Plum’s Lode, while the second surface diamond rig is testing for extensions to Main Lode at depth and along strike to the east.

*Image Source: Aurelia Metals Limited

Written By Jonathan Norris
Jonathan is a founder of Mining.com.au and has been covering the resources industry since 2018. With over 17 years experience in print, broadcast and online media, Jonathan has seen first hand the transformative effect of online niche media.