Argent Minerals (ASX: ARD) has received the first assays from drilling at Kempfield in New South Wales, which have returned broad zones of high-grade silver, lead and zinc.
The company’s chief executive officer and managing director George Karageorge claims the assays increase confidence for Kempfield’s development.
Notable results were 18m at 72.73 grams per tonne silver, including 8m at 126.14g/t silver from 9m; 36m at 96.05g/t silver from 64m, including 1m at 338g/t silver.
Other highlights were 42m at 1.75% lead from 55m, including 10m at 2.63% lead from 85m; and 25m at 2.59% zinc from 73m, including 11m at 4.6% zinc from 86m.
These assays are from infill reverse circulation drilling that has been underway at Kempfield over the past four months, with the program comprising 23 holes for 2,624m.
Advancing Kempfield
More than 3km of strike has been firmed up at Kempfield and widths across strike up to 650m.
Mineralisation remains open at depth beyond 200m.
Latest drill results continue to shore up Argent’s resource model for Kempfield.
To test mineralisation further, Argent has planned a 12,500m RC program for March 2021.
“The strength in commodity prices and worldwide demand for silver, gold and zinc production make for exciting times for Argent and its stakeholders,” Mr Karageorge said.
“We are looking forward to completing the next stage of drilling in March 2021 and resource upgrade by May next year, [plus] establishing a mining reserve and accelerating Kempfield to development stage.”
Rock chip sampling undertaken during the September quarter also returned copper, gold and barite as well as lead, zinc and silver.
Better results were 359g/t silver, 1.56% lead, 0.68% zinc, 64% barite, 2.15g/t gold and 4.96% copper.
Kempfield has secured designation as a state significant development in NSW and is located 41km from Newcrest Mining’s (ASX: NCM) Cadia operation.
Previous exploration at the project has resulted in a 52 million ounce resource of contained silver equivalent.
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