Zenith Minerals (ASX:ZNC) is awaiting further assays from the Dulcie Far North (DFN) Gold Project although initial results confirm ‘promising’ mineralisation.
The drilling campaign at DFN is ongoing, with assay results expected to be received progressively over the coming weeks.
Zenith is advancing the project through a continued focus on infill and step-out drilling, “aimed at fully delineating the project’s resource potential”.
This approach aligns with Zenith’s broader multi-project gold strategy, positioning Dulcie Far North as a potential major contributor. Additional drilling could support the development of a standalone processing plant and a centralised gold hub, further enhancing the project’s strategic value, the company says.
In an update on the current drilling activities at the project, which started on 8 October, Zenith says visual logs from the chip trays have demonstrated lithological zones with significant mineralisation-related alteration, providing a clearer understanding of the mineralised structures and supporting further exploration of open extensions.
Exploration Manager Chris Shanley says the results are highly encouraging and align well with the company’s geological model for Dulcie Far North.
“They not only confirm the presence of gold mineralisation but also provide greater confidence in the continuity of the mineralised structures. These early outcomes from this phase support our strategy to target infill areas, currently unclassified due to insufficient drilling density, between zones of the existing resource and extensions to known mineralisation,” says Shanley.
“There also remains strong potential for as yet unclassified footwall lodes. In addition, we have taken the opportunity to step out significantly north-northwest along strike of known mineralisation , testing an area so far undrilled by either Zenith or previous workers, but which the geological model indicates is prospective for continuity of mineralisation. We are optimistic about the ongoing potential of the project.”
The reverse circulation drilling program originally included 17 planned holes, each with an approximate depth of 150m. During drilling, hole SRRC028 was abandoned at 38m due to swelling clays; a replacement hole (SRRC040), located 80m east-northeast, has been approved and is ready for drilling.
Drilling in this replacement location is anticipated to start shortly.
The program includes infill drilling to support and enhance the current resource estimate alongside step-out drilling aimed at extending known mineralised zones along strike and probing for deeper extensions of existing lodes.
This phase represents a significant step towards expanding the current maiden inferred mineral resource of 3.4 million tonnes @ 1.4g/t gold, equating to 150,000 ounces of gold.
The Dulcie Far North Gold Project lies within the Southern Cross/Forrestania Greenstone Belt, strategically positioned near existing gold processing infrastructure.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: Zenith
