Benz Mining confirms strong gold continuity at Glenburgh with standout results at Zone 126 trend

Benz Mining (ASX: BNZ) has reported exceptional assays from aggressive reverse circulation drilling at the Zone 126 trend within its Glenburgh gold project in Western Australia.

The results mark a major step forward in the company understanding and expanding the project’s gold system, with thick intercepts confirming vertical and grade continuity.

Benz is using in-depth geological analysis to accurately model the Glenburgh mineralisation for the first time and expects a regional soil sampling and gradient array induced polarisation program targeting untapped greenfield areas to identify new drill targets.

Broad intercept

The first hole targeting the gap between Zone 126 and Zone 102 returned a broad mineralised intercept of 215 metres at 0.25 grams per tonne gold from 254m including 4m at 2.6g/t gold, with an emerging high-grade core.

Other highlights included one of the thickest intercepts to date of 39m at 5.1g/t gold from 319m, as well as 10m at 12.9g/t gold from 299m and 2m at 12g/t gold from 350m.

Benz has supported true widths with opposite direction (scissor) drilling and both high-grade lenses remain open at depth with strike extension testing underway.

Strong continuity

Benz chief executive officer Mark Lynch-Staunton said the “highly encouraging” results demonstrated strong continuity of the lenses along strike and at depth.

“To deliver thick, high-grade gold at depth across both known lenses and to gather strong indications that this mineralisation is close to true width is a huge step forward which gives us real confidence in the scale, consistency and continuity of this system,” he said.

Mr Lynch-Staunton said the company was planning to test high-priority down-plunge targets at Zone 126 and unlock further resource growth in its next phase of drilling.

Ambitious campaign

Benz commenced an ambitious 30,000m drilling program at Glenburgh in May, following a $13.5 million capital raise to accelerate its gold exploration plans.

The company’s initial focus is on expanding the Zone 126 gold lenses along the untested north-east plunge direction, followed by parallel drilling of Zone 102 and other priority targets.

It will be the first time drilling of the deposits has been conducted in this direction, with previous exploration focused predominantly to the south-west.

Glenburgh acquisition

Benz acquired the Glenburgh and Mt Egerton gold projects earlier this year from Spartan Resources (ASX: SPR) for a total consideration of $15.6m including up to $6m in contingent payments.

The sale of the non-core assets will allow Spartan to focus on its flagship Dalgaranga gold project in WA and move it towards a production re-start decision.

Spartan has a 15% strategic cornerstone shareholding in Benz and will work with the company to develop Glenburgh and Mt Egerton.