Barton Gold confirms high-grade gold and silver at Tarcoola’s Tolmer discovery

Barton Gold (ASX: BGD) (OTCQB: BGDFF) has obtained positive early assay results from the now-completed follow-up drilling at the Tolmer discovery at its Tarcoola project in South Australia.

The company sees its Tolmer find in 2024 as a major new opportunity as it progresses development of its SA gold portfolio.

Barton has developed a new model of the historical high-grade goldfield and Tolmer is further confirmation of the company’s belief that there is significant upside there.

High-grade extensions

The follow-up program featured 17 reverse circulation (RC) holes for a total of 2,230 metres of drilling.

It targeted potential extensions of higher-grade quartz sulphide veining and tested a zone below November 2024 aircore (AC) drilling that intersected gold but was unable to penetrate the underlying harder quartzite rock.

“We are excited to quickly follow up drilling at the Tolmer prospect, having recently identified high-grade silver alongside the previously reported high-grade gold intercepts,” managing director Alexander Scanlon said.

“We are also looking forward to receiving the results of further silver assays from our November 2024 AC drilling, which are now underway.”

Shallow silver assays

Barton announced in late January that it had confirmed the Tolmer gold system with shallow high-grade gold assays.

Results from multi-element analyses identified that high-grade silver was present as well in the supergene zone and in primary gold-sulphide veins, in association with elevated lead and zinc.

Mr Scanlon said the assays also identified a strong association between gold and silver in quartz sulphide veining similar to the primary signature of gold mineralisation at the company’s nearby Tunkillia gold project.

Highlighted assay results returned 3.46% lead, 10.8% zinc and 0.12% copper, with recent Tolmer AC drilling also providing further anomalous gold assays of up to 3.0 grams per tonne along strike.

Future Tolmer benefits

Mr Scanlon said the confirmation of high-grade silver could benefit any potential future mining at Tolmer.

“Near-surface lead anomalies also appear to be a useful drill targeting guide for gold and silver in the Tarcoola region,” he said.

The company believes it may indicate a source of blending feed for the neighbouring Tunkillia gold project, which also carries a significant silver credit.