Meteoric Resources commences drilling at Palm Springs gold project, digitises historic data from Butchers Creek

Perth-based explorer Meteoric Resources (ASX: MEI) has confirmed reverse circulation (RC) drilling has commenced at the Palm Springs gold project in Western Australia’s Kimberley region, alongside existing diamond drilling activities at the Butchers Creek open pit mine.

In total, the project’s campaign will consist of approximately 23 RC holes for 5,000m and seven diamond drill holes for 1,500m.

It has been designed to confirm the quality and location of historical gold intercepts and extend the known high‐grade gold mineralisation associated with a plunging anticline to the south of Butchers Creek.

Meteoric acquired the Palm Springs advanced exploration play in July from a private vendor, which had held the project since 1997 when the mine closed on the back of low gold prices.

Records show past gold production of 52,000 ounces at 2.1 grams per tonne from Butchers Creek, plus strong drill intercepts and historic resources.

Digital data

A digital compilation of data sourced from historic paper-based records for Butchers Creek has also been completed and is considered an important step in allowing Meteoric’s geological team to build a 3D interpretation of the pit’s geology and mineralisation.

The model will be used to guide exploration activities and ensure accurate tracking of gold mineralisation in the south‐westerly plunging host trachyte unit.

Meteoric managing director Dr Andrew Tunks said the digitisation of data will ease future exploration workloads.

“The move from paper [archives] into the digital realm is a big step forward for us as we can now model the anticlinal position within the [Butchers Creek] host unit and the overprinting gold mineralisation to accurately plan our drilling in a 3D environment,” he said.

“So far, the model has been extremely accurate in forecasting the exact location of the trachyte host to gold mineralisation within the first two completed diamond holes.”

As new data arrives from drilling activities, the company will be able to quickly refine the host unit model, the gold mineralised envelope and any faults which may have acted as feeders for gold-rich fluid.

“With the digital data now at hand, this becomes a quick iterative process which will be reflected in more accurate targeting of our drilling to test key mineralised gold zones,” Dr Tunks said.

Meteoric’s on-site team has commenced sampling of diamond core, which will be trucked to Perth for assay by ALS Global.

First assay results are expected by mid-October.