Mining

Mamba Exploration makes shallow, high-grade hits at Calyerup Creek gold project

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By Imelda Cotton - 
Mamba Exploration ASX M24 high-grade gold zones maiden drilling Calyerup Creek Western Australia

Drilling is due to restart this week on Mamba’s WA project following drill rig issues and the Christmas break.

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Follow-up drilling by Mamba Exploration (ASX: M24) at the Calyerup Creek gold project in Western Australia has intersected shallow high-grade mineralisation.

Seven holes drilled to the west of an initial campaign on the southern gold trend hit significant mineralisation grading more than 0.5 grams per tonne gold.

Best results were 6m at 1g/t gold from 2m; 5m at 0.8g/t gold from 7m; 7m at 0.7g/t gold from 17m; and 12m at 0.7g/t gold from surface.

The mineralisation is believed to extend for over 500m east-to-west, remaining open in all directions and at depth.

First pass shallow drilling on the northern trend also intersected anomalous zones grading more than 0.1g/t gold in initial composite samples.

Resampling of the zones is being undertaken, with an expected assay turnaround time of up to 12 weeks.

The delay will not impact follow-up drilling, as access to Calyerup Creek is now limited due to the early onset of winter rains in WA’s Great Southern region.

Excellent start

Mamba managing director Mike Dunbar said the follow-up results were an “excellent start” to exploration in the region.

“It is pleasing for us to report that shallow and significant widths of gold mineralisation have been intersected on each of the drill lines completed across the southern gold trend,” he said.

“Now that mineralisation has been confirmed over a substantial strike length, the next round of drilling has been planned to extend at depth and further along strike.”

Program of works

He said preparations were well advanced with a programs of works already approved by the state’s mining regulator, allowing for an additional 110 holes to be drilled within a four-year period.

Environmental surveys have confirmed there are no impediments to drilling, specifically species of flora which are susceptible to dieback.

A heritage survey has been commissioned and is due for completion by early June, enabling drilling to commence once regional winter rains ease.

In the meantime, the company will shift its exploration efforts to the Copper Flats project in the Kimberley and the Ashburton gold project in the state’s Gascoyne region.