Great Boulder Resources Ltd (ASX:GBR) has delivered its highest gold grades intersected to date during reverse circulation (RC) drilling at Ironbark within the Side Well Gold Project near Meekatharra in Western Australia, with the bonanza grade hits highlighting the potential for high-grade plunges within the wider mineralised zones.
Drilling in the third phase of the program to test strike and depth extensions of mineralisation and infill areas successfully intersected the highest gold grades yet seen at the prospect, and confirming mineralisation within parallel steeply west-dipping lodes located on or around the contacts between mafic and ultramafic rock units.
Highlights are 5 metres at 51.65 g/t gold from 106 metres, including 1-metre at 193.50 g/t from 107 metres in 22IBRC024 and 3 metres at 27.06 g/t from 145 metres, including 1-metre at 79.80 g/t from 147 metres in 22IBRC028.
Significantly, the new results have extended the strike of Ironbark to more than 500 metres.
Ironbark drill collars over interpreted geology
Comparable to Mulga Bill
Great Boulder managing director Andrew Paterson said: “The third phase of RC drilling at Ironbark has exceeded our expectations with two very high-grade intersections demonstrating the deposit’s potential for a future open pit or underground mining scenario.
"These are the highest grades we’ve yet seen at Ironbark, comparable to some of our best results at Mulga Bill.
“We have also extended the strike to more than 500 metres with a shallow intersection in the northernmost hole which means it remains open along strike and also at depth.
“Planning is now underway for more RC drilling to continue testing the strike of Ironbark and also looking at possible plunge orientations for the high-grade shoots.”
Near-surface find
Other results from the early July drilling include:
- 15 metres at 1.99 g/t gold from 37 metres in 22IBRC022;
- 8 metres at 4.31 g/t gold from 88 metres and 5 metres at 6.10 g/t gold from 122 metres in 22IBRC025;
- 2 metres at 13.76 g/t gold from 133 metres, including 1 metre at 26.70 g/t gold from 133 metres in 22IBRC027; and
- 22 metres at 1.43 g/t gold from 102 metres, including 2 metres at 13.57 g/t gold from 102 metres in 22IBRC029.
Aircore drilling immediately south of Ironbark to test southerly strike extensions has also been completed, with results anticipated in the coming weeks.
RC chips 100-115 metres from drill hole 22IBRC024.
What’s next?
RC drilling is continuing at Side Well, with the rig rotating between programs at Mulga Bill and Flagpole.
The company is planning a fourth round of drilling at Ironbark, which will be completed in the coming months.
Infill auger sampling has now been completed over priority areas within the Ironbark South stratigraphy, bringing the sample spacing to a 200-metre by 50-metre grid. This spacing allows the prioritisation of drill targets for aircore testing once DMIRS and heritage clearances are received.