Hillgrove Resources (ASX:HGO) has reported ‘high-grade’ copper-gold intersections from underground drilling at the Emily Star deposit as the company advances towards a stage two final investment decision.
The company completed seven holes from the first Emily Star drill platform by the end of May, with assay results received for five holes.
All results align with previously reported intersections and confirm ‘high-grade’ mineralisation at Emily Star.
Standout intersections include 19m @ 1.49% copper and 0.13 grams per tonne gold from 287m downhole and 15.87m @ 1.53% copper and 0.21g/t gold from 254.13m downhole.
Other significant results include 4.5m @ 0.77% copper and 0.06g/t gold from 319.88m downhole, 2.96m @ 1.86% copper and 0.02g/t gold from 64.9m downhole, and 2.65m @ 1.30% copper and 0.16g/t gold from 297.45m downhole.
“Emily Star continues to deliver consistent high-grade results, reinforcing its potential as the next source of underground production at Kanmantoo,” CEO Bob Fulker says.
“The drilling completed […] is providing the geological and geotechnical confidence required to support the Stage 2 investment decision. Whilst the early results are encouraging, it remains important to complete the detailed design and economic assessment before committing to the Emily Star expansion.”
Advancing the Emily Star expansion
Drilling at Emily Star will continue into the September quarter to support the final investment decision. Studies are advancing across geotechnical conditions, ventilation design, mine infrastructure, and mine planning.
Underground diamond drilling completed to the end of May totalled 25,727m, including 2,806m of Emily Star drilling. All drill results will feed into the 2026 mineral resource estimation update scheduled for release in the December quarter.
“The combination of strong operational performance and the momentum across our growth initiatives positions Hillgrove well for the next phase of value creation,” Fulker says.
Hillgrove Resources owns the Kanmantoo Copper Mine in South Australia, located 55km southeast of Adelaide. The mine operates on mining leases ML6345 and ML6436, which it owns 100%.
Write to JC Villarba at Mining.com.au
Images: Hillgrove Resources
