Pantoro Limited (ASX: PNR) announced that the drilling at the Scotia Mining Centre within the Norseman Gold Project in the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia, returned a number of deep high-grade intersections from both inside, and outside of the Inferred Mineral Resource envelope.
New deep drilling results included 4 m @ 10.83 g/t Au inc. 0.7 m @ 56.20 g/t Au from 437 m; 2.6 m @ 6.51 g/t Au from 451.8 m; and 9.94 m @ 7.24 g/t Au inc. 1.75m @ 17.38 g/t Au from 195.06 m.
The company said that the infill drilling around and below the historic underground workings continue to increase confidence in the ongoing upgrade of Mineral Resource from Inferred to Indicated for subsequent expansion of Ore Reserves. PNR said that the drilling has confirmed two high grade lodes at the deepest level drilled to date which is over 400 metres below surface and remains open.
Drilling at Scotia
The Scotia Mining Centre hosts a number of Mineral Resource areas in close proximity, including the dominant Scotia Resource and smaller satellite Resources at Lady Eleanor and Free Gift. The area also includes several zones where high-grade mineral occurrences have not yet been classified within the existing Mineral Resource.
The Scotia deposit is currently the largest deposit within the Scotia Mining Centre. The current Mineral Resource at the Scotia Mining Centre is estimated to contain 4.15 Mt @ 3.45 g/t Au for 460,000 ounces.
Previous results from the Scotia Underground included 2 m @ 33.31 g/t Au from 236.9 m; 3.3 m @ 14.00 g/t Au from 348.1 m; 5.5 m @ 5.51 g/t Au from 454 m; 1 m @ 26.27 g/t Au from 178.5 m; 1.9 m @ 29.62 g/t Au from 189.2 m; 2.55 m @ 16.61 g/t Au from 469.15 m; 3.3 m @ 5.89 g/t Au from 313.8 m; 2 m @ 27.63 g/t Au from 327.7 m; and 6.65 m @ 14.81 g/t Au from 150.45 m.
Pantoro said that the latest drilling at Scotia was focussed on infilling and expanding the existing Mineral Resource, for conversion to Ore Reserve status.
High-grade drill results
The company has now reported additional drill results from the Scotia Mining Centre. PNR said that the latest drilling at Scotia returned the deepest high-grade intercepts in the area to date.
New deep drilling results included 4 m @ 10.83 g/t Au inc. 0.7 m @ 56.20 g/t Au from 437 m; 2.6 m @ 6.51 g/t Au from 451.8 m; 5.25 m @ 5.27 g/t Au from 155.75 m; 10 m @ 3.18 g/t Au from 177 m; 3 m @ 8.12 g/t Au inc. 1 m @ 21.60 g/t Au from 180 m; 3.85 m @ 4.03 g/t Au from 446.1 m; and 9.94 m @ 7.24 g/t Au inc. 1.75m @ 17.38 g/t Au from 195.06 m.
Underground gold potential
The company said that the results also confirmed the long-term underground mining proposition following completion of open pit activities as contemplated in the project DFS.
Updates and next steps
Pantoro said that these drilling results are part of an ongoing definition program to further define the mineralisation. The company said that this program will also evaluate and test the potential for depth and Strike extensions of the ore shoots.
PNR reported that it has an ongoing drilling program utilising multiple drill rigs at Scotia, planned to continue throughout this year.
Management statements
Pantoro Managing Director Paul Cmrlec said: “The Scotia Mining Centre is a key component of the planned recommencement of production at Norseman. Ongoing drilling continues to confirm the growth potential of the Scotia Mining Centre, at depth, through expansion of other existing Mineral Resources, and through new discoveries such as Green Lantern and Panda.”
Image Source: Pantoro Limited