Perth-based mineral explorer M3 Mining (ASX:M3M) has intersected gold grading up to 2,303.53 grams per tonne in aircore (AC) hole EDJAC164, completed at the El Capitan prospect within its Edjudina Gold Project in Western Australia.
The company reports assay results from an expedited AC drilling program completed in May 2023 were re-assayed using the screen fire method, which compared ‘favourably’ to the original 4m composites. The company says this allows M3 to further refine the zone of mineralisation down the hole, and demonstrates increased variability as expected for the style of mineralisation.
These results will form the basis for sampling and assay methodologies for future drilling programs following detailed magnetic surveys ahead of M3 Mining advancing the ‘bonanza’ grade El Capitan prospect.
When undertaking a screen fire assay, the sample is pulverised and a 500g aliquot is then screened over a 75 micrometre (µm) sieve, separating it into 2 fractions, which are recovered and weighed. The coarse fraction is assayed to extinction whilst the more homogenous fine fraction undergoes 2 standard fire assay readings.
A final weighted average of the gold content can then be calculated which provides a ‘higher’ accuracy reading of the gold content in each sample.
While still at an early stage of exploration, the use of screen fire assays has confirmed the original 4m composite fire assays and has further refined the understanding of the zone and the tenor of mineralisation. This new knowledge will be used in sampling methods which are being applied to the recently completed AC program over the prospect.
As M3 awaits the results of an expedited AC program, the company reports it will be exploring various alternative assay methodologies including photon assay over results at El Capitan.
This method also uses a 500g charge, which is expected to provide a more representative analysis compared to the standard 30g fire assay charge. M3 expects to receive these results prior to the end of August 2023.
Further work will also be undertaken by the company’s technical team over the coming weeks to better understand the mineralisation and geology present at El Capitan. This will include an analysis of the result received from the AC program, as well as a ‘detailed’ magnetic survey.
Commenting on the results, M3 Mining Executive Director Simon Eley says: “M3 Mining is extremely pleased to announce the validation of our original 4m composite assays, which have been confirmed on a 1m basis using the screen fire assay method and included a higher sample volume than the initial fire assays.
“The screen fire assays increase our confidence in the mineralisation at the recently discovered prospect…”
In addition to the assay results, the presence of visible gold within EDJAC164 supports the high-grade gold intercepted at the El Capital prospect. The screen fire assays increase our confidence in the mineralisation at the recently discovered prospect and provide the company with strong conviction to progress exploration activity at El Capitan.”
M3 Mining is focused on its copper and gold exploration portfolio in Western Australia. These assets include the Edjudina Gold Project located 150km northeast of Kalgoorlie, and the Victoria Bore Copper Project that lies 120km south of Onslow.
The company had about $3.3 million cash at hand on 31 March 2023, according to its latest quarterly report published on 28 April 2023.
Write to Harry Mulholland at Mining.com.au
Images: M3 Mining Ltd
