Resource drilling returns more high-grade zinc, lead and silver hits at Anson’s Ajana project
Stand out intersection of 7m @ 10.9% zinc, 1.5% lead and 20.2g/t silver from surface at Ethel Maude prospect
High-grade zinc mineralisation to be re-assayed for gallium, indium and germanium
Work to be carried out to define maiden resources at Ethel Maude and Surprise prospects
Special Report: Drilling aimed at defining a maiden resource at Anson Resources’ Ajana project in WA’s Mid-West delivers continuous and extensive high-grade zinc, lead and silver mineralisation.
Ajana, 130km north of Geraldton, is dominated by the Northampton Metamorphic Complex which contains several historical copper, lead and silver producing mines dating back to 1850.
A maiden reverse circulation drill program of 30 holes totalling 1,105m by Anson Resources (ASX:ASN) recently delivered high-grade hits with a hole at the Surprise prospect returning a top intersection of 12m @ 3% zinc, 1% lead and 1.75g/t silver.
Drilling at Ethel Maude, which focused on shallow, high-grade zinc, lead and silver mineralisation, also delivered significant results topping up at 20m @ 0.8% zinc, 0.71% lead and 5.75g/t silver.
Taken together, the results gave credence to the company’s belief that Ajana is a significant exploration opportunity within a proven and established mining province for lead, silver, and zinc.
Drillholes in relation to Ethel Maude historical workings. Pic supplied (ASN)
Resource drilling adds more weight
ASN has now proven that its initial drilling was no fluke.
A small Phase 2 RC drill program of 13 holes totalling 540m – designed to infill and extend mineralisation with the aim of defining maiden resources – returned high-grade mineralisation at both Surprise and Ethel Maude.
The company was particularly pleased with the drilling at Ethel Maude, which delivered “exceptional” high grades such as:
7m @ 10.9% zinc, 1.5% lead and 20.2g/t silver from surface, including a 1m intersection @ 29.49% zinc, 1.22% lead and 43g/t silver from 4m and a separate 20m @ 1.4% zinc, 1.7% lead and 10.7g/t silver interval from 12m (AJRC31);
36m @ 2.2% zinc, 2.1% lead and 6.8g/t silver from 18m to end of hole including 8m @ 3.6% zinc, 3.4% lead and 11.0g/t silver from 32m (AJRC32); and
2m @ 4.5% zinc, 14.6% lead and 18.5g/t silver from 30m, including 1m @ 7.8% zinc, 28.8% lead and 30g/t silver from 30m (AJRC37).
Meanwhile, drilling at Surprise also returned significant results such as 6m @ 1.1% zinc, 1% lead and 1g/t silver along with 2m @ 6.3% lead and 2g/t silver in AJRC41.
This work also identified extensions of the mineralised zones for further drilling programs.
Next steps
ASN will re-assay pulps of high-grade zinc mineralisation for critical minerals such as gallium, indium and germanium, supply of which are dominated for most part by China.
It will also seek to define a maiden JORC resource for the Ethel Maude and Surprise areas while refining and upgrading its exploration target models and geological knowledge throughout the Ajana project.
Other work the company is planning to undertake includes completing RC drilling at the Two boys, Surprise South and Block 1 prospects to define extents of base metal mineralisation across the wider project area.
This article was developed in collaboration with Anson Resources, 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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