Multi-element explorer Askari Metals is now spinning an auger drill in search of gold in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt region. It plans to sink and sample 328 holes across a four-kilometre strike distance at its Burracoppin gold project.
The latest campaign aims to build on a recent pass of soil sampling yielding results of up to 2 grams per tonne gold. In total 72 samples were collected with 69 per cent returning anomalous gold greater than 20 parts per billion. In addition, 21 per cent of samples gave up readings higher than 100ppb.
After running its sampling comb through Burracoppin, Askari highlights the overall potential mineralised strike extent at the project has now been confirmed at three distinct mineralised zones over a combined strike length of 4km.
The company says its ongoing auger soil drilling program aims to enhance its surface-sample database and identify additional high-priority drilling targets that will eventually be tested at depth.
Askari Metals Vice President of Exploration and Geology, Johan Lambrechts, said: “The current soil auger program is designed to extend our knowledge over a 4km area we consider to be very prospective and validate an area east of the historical Benbur workings, which has a fascinating magnetic signature and some historic surface anomalisms.”
The auger sampling method was selected over surface hand-sampling to penetrate windblown soils covering the geology of the eastern portion of the tenement.
The eastern section represents a potentially significant increase to the project’s mineralised metrics if the auger program manages to unearth an extension from the Benbur historical gold mine.
Historical data showing an 80ppb surface anomaly to the east of Benbur is driving a series of Askari’s planned auger holes.
Burracoppin has seen two phases of reverse circulation drilling under the Askari banner; with the first one yielding a standout one-metre intercept, grading an impressive 14.6g/t gold.
Notably, the Burracoppin project has never seen the planned level of modern exploration, according to the company. Understandably Askari will be eager to get its bag of assays generated from the second phase of reverse circulation drilling back from the lab.
Management says the third phase of reverse circulation drilling is set for April and it has a fourth-round to test new and existing mineralised zones on the drawing board.
In addition, the explorer also plans a series of diamond drill holes targeting additional structures at depth as well as beginning initial metallurgical test work on the deposit at Burracoppin.
Interest is sure to be growing for the explorer as fast as its pipeline is being loaded with the reverse circulation and auger drill results from its Wheatbelt project.
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By Matt Birney
