Australian mineral development and exploration company Talisman Mining (ASX:TLM) will embark on its 2023 drilling campaign with the restarting of a ‘major’ reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the Central Lachlan Copper-Gold Project in New South Wales.
The company says the 10,000m drilling program will begin at the Bonzer VTEM anomaly, being the first target tested in what is expected to be the largest and most important drill program conducted to date at the project.
Talisman reports drilling will also seek to systematically test a series of highly prospective conductive and gravity high anomalies identified from regional-scale VTEM Max Airborne Electro-magnetic (AEM), and FALCON Airborne Gravity Gradiometry (AGG) geophysical surveys conducted during 2022 exploration programs.
It is expected drilling will deliver an important proof-of-concept of the company’s strategy of fast-tracking exploration activities by utilising newly-acquired, high quality regional datasets to target areas believed to return a new mineral discovery.
Drilling will be conducted on 12 targets across 5 exploration licences for about 10,000m of RC drilling, and is reported to be headed by local drilling contractor Resolution Drilling.
Commenting on the drilling campaign, Talisman Mining Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shaun Vokes says: “We are very excited to announce the re-commencement of drilling at our Central Lachlan Project after the frustrating delays caused by the unprecedented weather events of 2022 in the central west of NSW. The team has done a fantastic job of working up a compelling pipeline of drill-ready, highly prospective gold and base metals targets that we will systematically test over the coming months.
I anticipate that we will have a steady stream of news flow for 2023 as we work through the currently identified portfolio of targets whilst in parallel progressing ground-based geophysical and geochemical surveys designed to refine and add further targets for testing in the second half of the year.
“I anticipate that we will have a steady stream of news flow for 2023 as we work through the currently identified portfolio of targets”
I am confident that the methodical process we are following and the work we are currently undertaking stands us in good stead to deliver a ‘significant’ new discovery for the company and our shareholders.”
The company notes the Bonzer VTEM anomaly is situated to the north-east of the Kaolin Shaft Gold prospect in a known mineralised zone. It is also adjacent to the intersection of 2 regional-scale structures in a zone interpreted to have ‘significant’ fracturing, which facilitates the conduit of mineralised fluids.
It is believed the conductive response is indicative of sulphide mineralisation associated with hydrothermal fluid flow subsequent to fracturing and deformation, Talisman says.
Meanwhile, a campaign of ground geophysical surveys postponed in 2022 due to persistent inclement weather has also resumed. The goal is to delineate drill-ready conductive or chargeable anomalies within multiple prospect areas highlighted by airborne geophysical survey data.
Talisman Mining is an ASX-listed company with a portfolio of ‘highly prospective’ and strategic assets that provide a pipeline of opportunities. The company’s 100% owned Lachlan project covers an ‘extensive’ strike extent along the Gilmore Suture within the mineral-rich Cobar and Mineral Hill discoveries, and has the potential to host a variety of deposit types.
Images: Talisman Mining Ltd
