PolarX has launched a channel sampling program across an outcropping gold-infused vein system at its Golden Staircase precious metal target, part of its larger Humboldt Range project in Nevada, USA.
The campaign is aimed at testing highly prospective targets within earshot of a recently struck 9.1m intersection at its Star Canyon prospect that ran a dazzling 124 grams per tonne or more than 4 ounces to the tonne gold from just 27.4m.
The stellar strike was chalked off only a few weeks ago, courtesy of a maiden RC probe across the proximal Star Canyon prospect’s mineralised veins.
The follow-up exercise will initially be focused around a 300m x 200m vein “swarm”.
Channel sampling is a method of sampling best suited to bedded, banded and vein-type deposits. The process involves cutting channels across the face of exposed ore and bagging up rock chips, fragments and dust from each channel.
According to PolarX, its program at Golden Staircase will include carving four 120m-200m long channels to provide continuous assay sampling data before drilling.
The company says it plans to collect a new specimen every 1.5m – essentially replicating the continuous nature of drill core sampling programs.
Assays from the channel sampling program are expected to start rolling in over the next four to six weeks.
Management earmarked the prospect as its first follow-up target following a January exploration drive when it bagged gold rich rock chips running up to 4.5 g/t tone.
Previous soil sampling at the site has also delivered a raft of anomalous gold in soil results that coupled with its proximity to infrastructure pushed the Golden Staircase prospect to the top of its hit list.
Nevada is one of the United States’ largest gold-producing states. Recent figures suggest the area accounts for about two-thirds of the country’s total production.
The province hosts several revered gold structures, including the celebrated Battle Mountain and Carlin Trends. Its large mineral trends house a raft of world-class gold deposits including the massive Carlin, Cortez and Goldstrike operations that each pump out more than 800,000 ounces of gold each year.
Whilst exploration across the Humboldt Range has already unearthed a score of notable precious metal systems, PolarX’s tenure has been firmly held over the years and remains largely untouched by modern exploration methods.
The current price of gold is currently floating around US$1770 per tonne, down from April highs of more than US$2000 per tonne.
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By Matt Birney
