Alta Zinc (ASX: AZI) has received the results of 10 channel samples taken from Ponente, another area of the Gorno mine, which has been historically developed but only partially mined. Ponente is 850m along strike and to the west of Pian Bracca where the company’s recent drilling intersected high-grade zinc and lead mineralisation which has demonstrated good continuity.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Channel samples recently assayed from the Ponente area, an 850m along strike step-out from Pian Bracca, confirm that the same mineralised horizon as drilled at Pian Bracca is also present at Ponente and also with very high grades, including:
- 4m at 51.5% Zn and 7.3% Pb (58.8% Zn+Pb) and 80g/t Ag; and
- 2m at 28.8% Zn and 3.2% Pb (32.0% Zn+Pb) and 39g/t Ag.
- All samples were taken over the full height of the underground access and include internal dilution. At all sample sites mineralisation continues into the floor and roof indicating that the true thickness of the mineralisation may be greater than currently reported, as was the case with Pian Bracca.
Managing Director, Geraint Harris, said three samples were taken on the western side of Ponente, in an area historically explored and developed but never mined.
A further seven samples were taken from mineralisation remaining in the historical mining pillars at the centre of the Ponente room and pillar area. Results from both locations demonstrate that the extension of the stratabound mineralisation retains its high-grade tenor as it extends west and away from Pian Bracca.
“These channel samples represent a first significant step-out from Pian Bracca and help confirm our geologic interpretation that the extensive and stratabound mineralisation in the Gorno mine appears to have good lateral continuity, and excitingly continues to contain some very high grades. As such, these results confirm our view that the Ponente area represents another exciting exploration target, in addition to Pian Bracca, with the potential to add to the Mineral Resource inventory at the Gorno mine.”
The stratabound mineralisation in the centre of the Ponente area was only partially mined with room and pillar stopes of up to 8-10m height with significant mineralisation remaining in those pillars.
Mr Harris said the stratabound mineralisation remains the company’s principle and immediate focus at Ponente however, our reinterpretation of the area, based on recent and historic data, suggests that the Pian Bracca thrust sits immediately above the stratabound mineralisation in the Ponente area, therefore adding an additional and prospective exploration target for the company.
