Drilling Intersects Prospective Lithology In WA
St George Mining Limited (ASX: SGQ) has revealed exciting interim results from the maiden drill programme underway at its Paterson Project, located within the Paterson region of Western Australia.
The company’s Paterson Project is an early-stage opportunity with significant exploration upside for base metal and gold deposits.
Executive Chairman, John Prineas, said it complements the company’s flagship Mt Alexander nickel-copper sulphide project, where St George is continuing to expand the footprint of high-grade mineralisation and advance towards a potential mine development.
“The initial results from the inaugural broad-spaced drill programme at our Paterson Project are already exceeding our expectations,” Mr Prineas said.
“We are seeing geological features and lithologies which are indicative for mineral deposits in the region,” he said.
“These early observations are confirming our belief that our ground is fertile for base metal and gold mineralisation.
“Given these highly encouraging results, we are seeking to source a diamond rig to complete deeper drilling to further test these emerging high-value copper and gold targets.”
Mr Prineas said the prospective stratigraphy at the tenement extends for a strike of 35km. Drill holes PRC001 to PRC018 have been completed to date. Average depth of cover encountered by these holes has been 150m to 180m. This is similar to the cover at major deposits in the region such as Rio Tinto’s Winu and significantly less than the cover at the Havieron deposit being developed by Newcrest and Greatland Gold.
All completed drill holes have penetrated the cover sequence and drilled into the underlaying interpreted bedrock or in-situ weathering profile, providing an insight into the basement lithology.
Lithological interpretation and XRF analysis have been completed on the first 10 drill holes. Selected end of hole (EOH) chips and other interesting intervals have been sent for detailed petrological examination and classification. Laboratory assay results are still pending.
Located at the intersection of two magnetic highs and interpreted fold hinge. The basement lithology comprises weakly deformed, ferruginous arenite with the EOH XRF analysis indicating values of 480ppm Zn, 19ppm Mo, 123ppm V, 10% Fe, 437ppm Ni.
PRC004 – completed to 183m downhole. Drilled to test a coincident gravity high and an interpreted sequence of tight folds. The drill hole Intersected 10m of gossanous, highly altered interpreted sedimentary rocks or silica cap within the basement. Abundant iron oxides interpreted to be derived from weathered sulphides. XRF of EOH chips returned values of 1,138ppm Cu, 1.25% S, 39ppm As and another with 354ppm Bi, 541ppm Pb, 399ppm Zn.
PRC009 – completed to 180m downhole. The drill hole is located on a curvilinear magnetic high, immediately adjacent to a cluster of bulls-eye magnetic features. The basement lithology comprised moderately deformed, disseminated sulphide bearing intermediate igneous rocks. Visual observations confirmed with XRF indicate the presence of multiple sulphide species, including chalcopyrite. XRF readings of up to 0.6% Cu were observed, with other elevated elements including Fe, Pb, Zn, Mo, Sn, As, Bi and Se.
Early indications from the single drill line to date across the stratigraphic package suggest that the basement sequence is weakly to moderately deformed and comprised of a variety of sedimentary and potential intrusive igneous rocks.
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