Perth-based miner Challenger Exploration (ASX: CEL) has delivered high-grade gold grades from rock saw channel sampling at its Hualilan Gold Project in Argentina.
The sampling results include the highest-ever grades recorded at Hualilan of 2 metres at 301.5 g/t Au
Key results from the Sanchez Fault (approximately 100 metres up-dip from ground level in the Hualilan Hills) include:
- 15.6m at 71.7 g/t AuEq (70.9 g/t Au, 59.1 g/t Ag, 0.2% Zn) including
- 4.0m at 203.8 g/t AuEq (201.6 g/t Au, 172.0 g/t Ag, 0.1% Zn)
Results from sampling up-dip of previous channel sampling in the main Cerro Norte Manto include:
- 64.8m at 28.3 g/t AuEq (23.4 g/t Au, 104.1 g/t Ag, 8.3% Zn) including
- 8.8m at 49.3 g/t AuEq (45.2 g/t Au, 88.7 g/t Ag, 6.8% Zn) and
- 26.5 m at 34.4 g/t AuEq (29.3 g/t Au, 114.4 g/t Ag, 8.2% Zn)
The sampling results include the highest-ever grades recorded at Hualilan of 2 metres at 301.5 g/t Au, 220 g/t Ag, 0.1 g/t Zn with a number of additional samples exceeding 100 g/t Au.
The above results cover 300 metres of strike, extending the known mineralisation 100 metres up-dip from previous drilling at Cerro Norte. The results also support evidence that highest grades are found in the Hualilan hills (extending 200-300m up-dip from drilling), which to date is completely untested.
Channel sampling program
Channel sampling has been undertaken using a rock saw to cut and recover a continuous channel measuring approximately 4cm x 4cm, with sample weight averaging 4.8 kg per metre.
The channel samples are comparable to drill core samples, and are expected to be incorporated into a resource estimation similar to drilling results.
Sanchez Fault
The Sanchez Fault remains largely untested due to issues with topography, but is believed to control high-grade mineralisation at Hualilan. The fault has been mapped in outcrop over 500 metres, with plans to drill using a man-portable rig from the eastern side of the Hualilan hills.
Up next
Challenger is set to acquire a ninth, man portable rig (to overcome topographical issues) to drill out this potential zone of bonanza grade mineralisation historically mapped over 1.4km.
“The results confirm our view that the strongest mineralisation is likely to be in the Hualilan Hills which are yet to be drilled”
Management comments
Challenger Exploration Managing Director Kris Knauer said: “These are the best results we have seen at our Flagship Hualilan Gold Project – 4m at 201.6 g/t gold is outstanding. The results confirm our view that the strongest mineralisation is likely to be in the Hualilan Hills which are yet to be drilled. Mineralisation is mapped in outcrop in the Hualilan Hills over 1.4 kilometres of strike and there is 200 to 300 metres which is undrilled up-dip from our current drilling which suggests this exciting bonanza grade target could deliver a material increase in size.
Given the opportunity we are acquiring a man portable rig to allow us to drill out this zone of mineralisation which could be a significant step supporting CEL’s strategy to deliver a high-grade shallow resource that the Company hopes will enable a low capex starter operation.”
Images: Challenger Exploration Limited