Sky Metals (ASX:SKY) has launched a reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drilling program to expand the current resource estimate at its Tallebung Tin Project in central New South Wales.
Roughly 40 RC drill holes and 5 diamond drill holes totalling 8,000m will test the southern and central areas of the Tallebung tin mining field, where the majority of previous hardrock workings lie.
Through the drilling work, Sky Metals is aiming to convert a ‘critical mass’ into inferred or indicated resources. Once defined, the data will pave the way for mine scoping studies to begin, thereby allowing the company to evaluate the economics of the Tallebung project.
In March this year, Sky Metals unveiled a maiden mineral resource estimate (MRE) for the project measuring 10.2 million tonnes @ 0.18% tin, representing 18,400 tonnes of contained tin based on a cut-off grade of 0.10%.
An exploration target of between 16 million and 21 million tonnes @ 0.16% to 0.20 % tin was also defined.
The diamond holes will be drilled to a depth of more than 150m, focusing on the entire strike length of the area, and will also provide material for a bulk sample for further metallurgical testing. This will seek to improve the current simple processing methods and bolster the results Sky Metals has received to date.
“This is an exciting program for SKY. The program is targeted to both significantly increase the mineral resources while also increasing confidence in the large resources defined at Tallebung,” Sky Metals CEO Oliver Davies says.
“This will position SKY strongly to further develop the exceptional bulk tonnage tin mining potential at Tallebung”
“Building the size and confidence in the tin resources at Tallebung will then allow SKY to launch into mine scoping studies following the completion of this current drilling campaign and subsequent updated mineral resource estimate. This will position SKY strongly to further develop the exceptional bulk tonnage tin mining potential at Tallebung.”
The program is expected to take 2 months to be completed, with the first assays to begin arriving in the next 6 weeks.
In addition to Tallebung, Sky Metals owns the Doradilla and New England tin projects, the Iron Duke and Galwadgere copper-gold projects, and the Caledonian and Tirrana gold projects — all of which are located in NSW. The company also holds an 80% stake in the Cullarin and Kangiara gold projects through a joint venture with Develop Global (ASX:DVP).
Write to Oliver Gray at Mining.com.au
Images: Sky Metals Ltd
