High-Tech Metals (ASX:HTM) has completed a 41-hole reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at its Mt Fisher Gold Project in Western Australia.
The company drilled 6,038m within mining lease M53/127, targeting extensions to the current Mt Fisher mineral resource and testing ‘high-grade’ shoot continuity identified during a recent geological review.
Final samples have been transported to Perth for assaying and analysis, with results expected within four to five weeks.
CEO James Merrillees says the program marks an important milestone in the company’s strategy to systematically grow the resource.
“We are encouraged by the successful completion of the program and by the early indications from sampling of the carbonaceous stockpile, which has returned several high-grade gold assays including 20.1 grams per tonne gold,” Merrillees says.
As part of evaluation into near-term development opportunities, High-Tech completed a preliminary sampling program on a historical carbonaceous stockpile located within the mining lease.
A total of 10 surface grab samples were collected, which returned notable gold values including 20.1g/t gold, 5.55g/t gold, 1.76g/t gold, and 1.28g/t gold, as well as confirmed gold mineralisation.
The company cautions that these selective grab samples are not necessarily representative of the overall grade.
Given the elevated values, High-Tech has completed a bulk sampling program, collecting approximately 300kg of material for further grade evaluation and metallurgical testwork.
Following the main program, the company completed a trial reverse RC program on a ‘low-grade’ stockpile to assess its suitability for grade estimation.
However, the unconsolidated nature of the material resulted in poor hole stability, leading High-Tech to explore alternative sampling methods.
The company says additional bulk sampling and metallurgical testwork are now underway to assess the stockpile’s grade distribution and economic potential.
High-Tech Metals is a gold explorer and developer advancing its portfolio in Western Australia.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: High-Tech Metals
