Drilling at Torque’s Paris project returns thick gold hits grading up to 26.9g/t gold
Results extend Paris mineralisation by 50m, closes gap between the HHH and Paris pits
Company plans to follow-up results with further ~10,000m drill program
Special Report: Torque Metals’ belief that a large gold camp is present at its Paris project in WA’s goldfields region has been bolstered by drilling returning thick mineralised zones topping out at 26.9g/t gold.
The intersection of strong gold mineralisation at the Paris, HHH and Observation prospects is an excellent result from the ~10,000m reverse circulation drill program that was aimed at revealing extensions to recently defined gold zones as well as targets generated from recent drilling, machine learning algorithms and geological models.
It also validates contractor Topdrill’s decision to carry out drilling under a drill-for-equity agreement, which allows up to 100% of the drill costs invoiced through the issue of TOR shares to a maximum value of $500,000.
Torque Metal’s (ASX:TOR) Paris project is just 12km southeast of the St Ives gold mine, which is operated by South Africa’s Gold Fields and produces close to 400,000ozpa, making it one of Australia’s biggest gold mines.
Prior to the completion of this program, less than 5% of the ~1200km2 project was subjected to drill testing, most of which were drilled to less than 50m below surface.
Paris has the potential to host multiple deposits within a larger mineralised system characterised by parallel structures and splays under the control of the Boulder Lefroy System.
Previous drilling by TOR returned notable intersections such as 35m grading 14.12g/t gold and 41m at 5.93g/t gold.
Lithostructural (left) and geological (right) models support exploration activities. Pic: Torque Metals
New drill results
The latest drilling extended Paris gold mineralisation by up to 50m from previous intercepts returning assays such as:
16.3m grading 7.95g/t gold from 272m, including 4.63m at 25.62g/t gold from 277m (24PDD001);
10.79m at 3.64g/t gold from 144m and 5.26m at 3.8g/t gold from 166.58m within 27.84m at 2.19g/t gold from 144m (24PRCDD096);
9m @ 2.6 g/t gold from 78m and 3m @ 9.23 g/t gold from 105m within 48m @ 1.37 g/t gold from 72m in 24PRC106; and
8m at 6.77g/t gold from 187m, including 2m at 26.9 g/t gold from 192m (24PRC098).
Drilling also made a new shallow discovery in the previously untested 1.5km gap between the HHH and Paris pits, indicating that they may be connected.
This returned a top assay of 16m at 4.19g/t gold from 66m, including 2m at 13.12g/t gold from 72m and 2m at 18.91 g/t gold from 80m in hole 24HRC087.
“Drilling at Torque’s Paris gold project again unveiled strong gold values across Paris, HHH and Observation prospects,” managing director Cristian Moreno said.
“Drilling north of the Paris pit revealed shallow gold intervals extending ~500m north-south, signifying a new gold discovery and suggesting a 1.5km connection between HHH and Paris pits.
“Torque’s exploration team has clearly identified a new gold enriched zone, leveraging the successful lithostructural model, enhancing results from Paris, HHH, and Observation prospects.
“Paris’ proximity to infrastructure, including nearby processing plants, enhances the value of Torque’s 13 pre-native title development-ready mining licences in our ~1,200km² tenement holding.
“The immediate focus is on further defining shallow gold lodes and advancing Torque’s first mineral resource estimate and maiden gold exploration target.”
Key takeaways
TOR noted that the successful drilling proves the value of its lithostructural model, with its effectiveness in uncovering new gold emplacements indicating that the gold enriched structures extend in multiple directions within the Paris gold camp.
Drilling suggests that the Paris structure extends up dip and opens substantial opportunities for further exploration with the company’s technical team optimistic that t similar intervals could be intersected in the upcoming drilling program.
Meanwhile, analysis of the successful holes south of the HHH pit confirmed east-west mineralised structures and north-south continuity that may link HHH to the Paris pit.
These results underscore promising potential for significant resource growth through testing of the as-yet undrilled 900m gap, which will be the focus of the company’s next phase of exploration.
At the Observation prospect, drilling confirmed that extensions to the east and west remain open.
Next steps
TOR plans to carry out a soils campaign on recently acquired tenements at Paris and intends to launch a follow-up RC and diamond drilling program of ~10,000m.
It also intends to define a maiden resource and exploration target.
At the New Dawn lithium project, the company will carry out RC drilling and a soils program on new tenements.
This article was developed in collaboration with Torque Metals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
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