Everest Metals’ bulk sampling program at Revere identifies Bendigo-like characteristics
Everest Metals (ASX: EMC) has confirmed system similarities to the world-class Bendigo gold province in Victoria through an ongoing bulk sampling program at its Revere gold and base metal project in Western Australia.
Executive chair and chief executive officer Mark Caruso said the bulk sampling continues to reveal a large, high-grade saddle reef system carrying gold from the surface, with results correlating to visual gold intersections.
Notably, the sampling work to date has identified gold mineralisation extending from the surface, minimising the need for pre-stripping, with development costs also benefiting from the free-milling characteristics of the gold.
Large mineral system
“The current bulk sampling program continues to unlock our understanding of the geological mineralised system, which demonstrates the existence of repeatable high-grade gold reef systems and associated mineralisation,” Mr Caruso said.
“The system has a strong geological correlation to the high-grade, nuggety Bendigo gold field deposits of central Victoria.”
“The initial sampling to date does not do justice to the potential of the Revere gold project as we have only targeted a small part of the 7-kilometre system.”
“We will continue with our accelerated, systematic, methodical approach to exploration and JORC resource categorisation drilling and sampling program, while concurrently progressing our mining permitting processes.”
Multiple gold deposits
The gold has been found along the well-developed Revere system, extending over 7km in strike length and up to 300 metres wide.
The company believes this highlights the potential for a large mineralisation system with multiple gold deposits.
Historical drilling at Revere has found gold in numerous holes, with intersected grades between 0.1 and 28 grams per tonne in the reverse circulation drill holes and over 1,000 g/t in larger samples.
Historical samples
Two bulk samples of more than 200kg were taken in 2018, with the grades of the same reefs producing 18g/t and 357g/t.
While the company says the nuggety nature of the ore body does make it challenging, it also pointed out that similar systems – most notably, the Bendigo gold field – are well-documented and have been mined globally.
Everest is planning to commence a 5,500m aircore drilling program in late August 2024, with the 36,000t crushing and screening campaign expected to continue until next month.
Preparations are also underway to mobilise the Gekko processing plant in September.