Artemis gets go-ahead to begin bulk conglomerate gold exploration in Pilbara

Artemis Resources (ASX: ARV) is moving ahead with its planned bulk exploration program at its 47K Patch conglomerate gold find in Western Australia’s Pilbara, after recovering 1,282.2 grams of gold from the site.

The explorer received the tick of approval from the WA Department for Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) to its program of works, allowing Artemis to begin investigating the well-known gold find.

DMIRS also granted Artemis approval for a 9,600t excess tonnage permit to process through its refurbished gravity gold circuit at its nearby Radio Hill plant site. Approvals were already in place to process an initial 4,500t bulk sample through Radio Hill.

The company will begin identifying bulk sampling locations over the next week with earth moving equipment already on site at 47K Patch. Artemis anticipates the bulk sampling technique will determine the overall “grams per tonne” of gold from the conglomerate material.

Artemis and Canadian joint venture partner Novo Resources (TSXV: NVO) famously kicked off the Pilbara gold nugget rush in July 2017 when the duo reported a “watermelon-seed” shaped gold nugget discoveries at or close to surface over extensive strike lengths at the Purdy’s Reward project south of Karratha.

Meanwhile, shallow surface rehabilitation work at 47K Patch – which doesn’t form part of the Novo joint venture – has recovered 1,282.2 grams of gold. The nuggets were recovered from one small 20m by 6m by 1.5m deep area, which was the focus of prospectors during the previous two years.

“Getting approvals granted from the DMIRS to start serious exploration on our gold bearing 47K Patch is very exciting,” Artemis’ executive chairman David Lenigas said.

“We can now get to work on taking and processing big tonnage bulk samples in the 100t to 1,000t per sample range.

“This work will give us a much better understanding of gold grades and gold size distribution. In addition, we are pleased that the CSIRO have now started working with Artemis on 47K Patch and its surrounds.”

CSIRO joins Pilbara conglomerate gold hunt

The style of mineralisation is yet to be determined at 47K Patch and is thought to be paleoplacer or eluvial. The mineralisation is part of the CSIRO research program, which is currently assisting Artemis in evaluating the origin of the Pilbara’s conglomerate gold.

Last month, CSIRO conducted a field trip to 47K Patch to research the formation of conglomerate and paleoplacer gold. While the program is focused on 47K Patch, site visits to Purdy’s Reward and other areas with conglomerates and sedimentary sequences are also part of the investigation.

Shares in Artemis were trading A$0.015 higher at A$0.185c in late morning trade.