ASX-listed mineral explorer Belararox (ASX:BRX) is preparing to launch its phase two drilling program targeting additional zinc and copper mineralisation at the Belara Project in New South Wales.
The company reports the phase two drill program will comprise about 3,600m of diamond drilling at Belara and Native Bee prospects, and will begin in mid-February.
The drilling will be carried out by Ophir Drilling, and will focus on identifying additional mineralisation to the previously announced maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the project, which currently comprises an inferred resources of 5 million tonnes @ 3.41% zinc equivalent (ZnEq).
Belararox also notes ‘significant’ exploration potential remains along strike and at depth of known sulphide resources.
Commenting on the upcoming drill program, Belararox Managing Director Arvind Misra says: “We are pleased to announce that the phase two drill program at our 100% owned Belara Project will commence shortly.
The overriding objective of this campaign, which is expected to commence in mid-February 2023, will be to identify further mineralisation at Belara and Native Bee with the potential to add to the maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for these 2 prospects, which was released in November last year.
“Other components of our Belara exploration strategy are also quickly taking shape”
Other components of our Belara exploration strategy are also quickly taking shape. Once our exploration licence applications are given the green light, we intend to quickly start exploring this prospective land.”
At Native Bee, phase two drilling will aim to identify additional mineralisation along strike and in the vicinity of the old Native Bee mine area and assess further mineralisation potential identified in a coincident gradient array induced polarisation (GAIP)- airborne magnetics first derivative (1VD) gravity anomaly, which extends from the area of the known mineral resource southwards over about 1,500m.
At Belara, phase two drilling will aim to identify additional ‘high-grade’ mineralisation. Drillhole BLRC019D from phase one drilling intersected ‘significantly’ wider, and ‘higher-grade’ base metal mineralisation than targeted. The company also notes mineralisation at Belara is open to the north and down-dip.
Phase two drilling will target the continuation of ‘high-grade’ mineralisation intersected in BLRC019D, and from previous drilling in holes B021, B033, and B032.
Belararox reports exploration licence applications ELA6176, and ELA6287 are well advanced and are expected to be granted shortly. The company says the granting of these applications will unlock a further 20km of prospective host rocks and structural corridor south of Belara and Native Bee where no exploration work has been carried out.
A close spaced airborne magnetic survey will also be completed over portions of the 20km structural corridor south of Belara and Native Bee, including ELA6176 once it is granted. The company expects this survey will identify targets for follow-up ground truthing, including mapping, sampling, and ground-based geophysics.
Belararox is a mineral exploration company focused on securing and developing resources to meet the surge in demand from the technology, battery, and renewable energy markets.
Its flagship Belara Project which includes the historic Belara and Native Bee mines, is located about 50km southeast of Dubbo in the East Lachlan Orogen in New South Wales. The company also holds the Bullabulling Project near Coolgardie in Western Australia.
Images: Belararox Ltd