PLC Resources (ASX:PLC) is planning ground reconnaissance and mapping after an airborne survey identified a large antiform structure along the eastern margin of the Abbotts Greenstone Belt.
Captured by a high-resolution magnetic and radiometric survey, the previously unmapped fold structure intersects a deep-seated east-west crustal feature highlighted by a Proterozoic dyke.
According to the company, this structural geometry is widely recognised as a first-order control on orogenic gold mineralisation across the Yilgarn Craton.
PLC also notes the eastern margin of the Abbotts Greenstone Belt remains completely untested by drilling or systematic soil sampling within the company’s tenure.
The survey opens a new exploration corridor along the eastern belt margin, expanding the drill target inventory beyond the Rochefort gold prospect.
Executive Director Simon Phillips says the survey results open a new chapter for the Abbotts North Project, which sits within the Abbotts Greenstone Belt in Western Australia’s Murchison region, approximately 35km north of Meekatharra.
“We came in looking to build a target pipeline, and what the interpretation has revealed is a large, previously unmapped fold structure along the entire eastern margin of the belt — a part of the project that has never seen a single drill hole or soil sample,” Phillips says.
“The survey has shown us that there is a very large, structurally complex target sitting right inside our project area that until now has not been visible.”
“Greenfields exploration search spaces of this scale… are rare in Western Australia.”
The antiform structure spans over 8km of strike on the eastern limb and over 6km on the western limb within the company’s tenure.
Preliminary interpretation suggests it could control gold mineralisation in the belt, with several historical gold prospects located within the fold structure limbs.
These include New Murchison Gold’s (ASX:NMG) Youngs and Lydia prospects, plus the Crown Prince deposit containing 2.2 million tonnes at 3.30g/t gold (Au) for 228,400 ounces.
PLC plans to complete a detailed interpretation of the survey data, with target generation to follow over the coming months.
Planned ground geological reconnaissance and mapping will also assess suitability for soil sampling, with selected targets along the structural trend potentially advancing directly to aircore drilling where soil sampling potential is ‘poor’.
The company also expects assay results from its recently completed maiden reverse circulation drilling program at Rochefort, comprising five holes for 1,018m, within weeks.
PLC Resources is a mineral explorer focused on advancing gold and copper assets, with efforts concentrated on its flagship Yalgoo and Abbotts North projects.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: PLC Resources
