Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX:BGL) continues to deliver strong infill drilling results which continue to de-risk the start of mining at its Bellevue Gold Project in Western Australia.
New results confirm the high-grade tenor and continuity of the Deacon Main deposit, one of four initial main production areas, with underground intersections close to true width, including:
- 14 metres at 49.4 g/t gold;
- 10.9 metres at 20.5 g/t;
- 14.4 metres at 15.4 g/t;
- 6.5 metres at 27.2 g/t; and
- 5.7 metres at 26.0 g/t
Meanwhile, ore development is on schedule at the Bellevue South, Armand and Marceline areas, with stoping also underway at Armand, as surface stocks continue to build ahead of plant commissioning.
Looking ahead, construction remains on track with all major components of the plant installed and the first production set for the December quarter.
Construction progress on site at the Bellevue processing facility as of September 10, 2023.
“High grades and strong continuity”
Bellevue managing director and chief executive officer Darren Stralow said: “These great results provide more strong comfort about the outlook for the start of mining at Bellevue.
“Deacon is one of four early-stage mining areas within the project, giving us maximum flexibility and diversification.
“The high grades and strong continuity add to the de-risking process as we prepare for first production in the coming quarter”.
Drilling at Deacon
As predicted in the geological model, Deacon Main is a geological analogue for the historic Bellevue mine which produced about 800,000 ounces at 13 g/t gold with the Deacon mineralisation situated 400 metres in the immediate footwall of the Bellevue lode.
Drilling at Deacon Main has confirmed a significant shear zone 4-14 metres wide with identical controls to high-grade ore shoot development as Bellevue.
The continuity and grade tenor of mineralisation at Deacon Main in the completed drilling to date has been ‘exceptional’, says the company.
Deacon Main, drill hole DDUG1121 14 metres at 49.4 g/t gold.
Forward plan
The Deacon Main area is the final area of the FY24 schedule to be infill drilled and is a significant contributor to the overall project life of mine.
Underground lateral development is expected to reach the first levels of Deacon in October 2023, which will mean access to all four production areas to be mined in FY24 will be complete.
Infill drilling at Deacon Main is ongoing with results for several significant intersections pending.
Construction of the processing plant continues to progress on schedule with remaining activities comprising pipework in the elution area, electrical terminations for the wet plant area, and completion of the gold room.
The mill and gravity areas are now fully assembled, and punch listing is being undertaken.
Furthermore, commissioning activities are also well advanced in the crushing and water services areas, while the mill ancillary and lube systems have been energised to begin commissioning.