Resource exploration and development company Viridis Mining and Minerals (ASX:VMM) has received approval to begin its 2023 maiden drilling program at the South Kitikmeot Gold Project in Western Nunavut, Canada.
The company reports the drilling program will consist of up to 12 holes for a total 1,000m over the key areas within the Esker Lake property.
Viridis states the intention of the program is to confirm and expand the historic gold mineralisation uncovered during drill programs completed in the 1980s and 1990s at the Esker Lake property, alongside conducting geological surveys over the remaining 6 properties encompassing the South Kitikmeot Project.
the intention of the program is to confirm and expand the historic gold mineralisation uncovered during drill programs completed in the 1980s and 1990s
A ground magnetic survey was completed in June 2022 at the Esker prospect. The company reports the survey generated a ‘promising’ target for future drilling programs to the northwest along strike from ‘high-grade’ intercepts intersected in the historic drilling.
Virdis reports this target is understood as hosting a ‘major’ structural intersection and disruption zone typical of hosting ‘high-grade’ blow outs and ore shoots within the region.
‘High-grade historical drill intercepts at Esker Lake include 3m @ 11.7g/t Au from 33.4m; 4m @ 4.8g/t Au from 37m; and 3.94m @ 3.8g/t Au from 77m.
The project comprises 7 properties including, Hiqiniq, Ujaraq, Gold Bug, Esker, Bling, Uist, and Qannituq which encompasses 11,448 hectares within the Back River – Contwoyto Gold Belt of Western Nunavut, Canada.
Camp construction onsite began on 5 March 2023, and will continue for 2 weeks. Once completed, the drill and fuel mobilisation will begin subject to drill rig availability and weather conditions.
Alongside the South Kitikmeot Project, Virdis has the Smoky Project comprising a single exploration licence (EL8944) covering 6km-square in the upper Hunter Valley region of New South Wales.
The exploration licence contains a historic halloysite quarry and covers potentially more than 3km strike length of a known and unique kaolin-halloysite bearing sequence.
Viridis began a drilling campaign for which had permission of maximum of 1,800m at the project in February 2023. The purpose of the drill program was to test the depth, strike, and mineralogy of reported and potential kaolin occurrences within the project area.
The company reports it has completed the first stage of the campaign, collecting sufficient samples from 7 aircore (AC) holes. Virdis is considering a further exploration program at the project.
Virids Mining and Minerals is a resource exploration and development company with assets in Canada and Australia. The company’s projects are prospective for gold, nickel, copper, platinum group elements, and kaolin-halloysite.
Images: Viridis Mining and Minerals Ltd
