Great Boulder Resources (ASX:GBR) has appointed Environmental Manager Matt Holmes to lead the permitting and approvals process for the Side Well Gold Project in Western Australia.
Holmes has more than 25 years’ experience in Western Australia and runs his own environmental services consulting business, providing life of mine consulting expertise from initial permitting through to mine closure.
Great Boulder, which has a market capitalisation of $59 million, says the initial priority will be coordinating all of the studies required for mining approvals for the Ironbark deposit.
Holmes will also be assessing opportunities to begin studies for other potential mining areas including the Mulga Bill, Saltbush, and Eaglehawk prospects.
Managing Director Andrew Paterson says this appointment is another step towards developing Side Well.
“Matt Holmes is highly experienced in the Western Australian approvals space, having recently managed the same process for Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) and Astral Resources (ASX:AAR),” Paterson says.
“He has an impressive track record of completing government approvals processes quickly and efficiently. I look forward to delivering ongoing good news updates as we continue drilling at Eaglehawk, followed by follow-up drilling on the new gold discoveries at Side Well South.”
At Ironbark, four reverse circulation holes were recently completed, testing the potential for gold mineralisation to continue towards the south. Assay results are expected in three weeks.
Great Boulder has also begun a Scoping Study for the 100,000 ounces @ 3.3 grams per tonne gold Ironbark deposit, part of the Side Well Project.
The study will consider the economics of an open pit mine using a toll treatment model at a nearby gold processing plant within a 50km radius.
Meanwhile, aircore drilling is continuing at Eaglehawk. The program is aimed to define the dacite host unit further north and east of previous drilling. The dacite running through Mulga Bill and Eaglehawk is a key host to high-grade quartz-sulphide veins.
The initial results from this program are expected to be returned shortly.
Great Boulder is continuing to advance negotiations for a mining agreement with the Yugunga Nya Traditional Owner group for the Ironbark deposit. This remains a key priority for the company.
The Side Well Gold Project hosts a resource estimate of 668,000 ounces of gold @ 2.8g/t gold.
Great Boulder is a mineral explorer focused on its portfolio of projects considered prospective for gold and base metals in Western Australia.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Great Boulder Resources
