Star Minerals Ltd (ASX:SMS) has begun initial reconnaissance drilling at the recently optioned Star of the East Project, seeking to identify gold mineralisation based on historical drilling and mining data.
This initial run of 300 metres of reverse circulation (RC) drilling will be leveraged to increase knowledge of the geology and grade characteristics of the project and expand on historical data.
Star of the East was first mined in 1897 after gold was discovered at the site by prospectors. Tenement E51/1561 contains remnant evidence of this historical work, including an old shaft.
The mine produced about 27,700 ounces of gold during its life, working along a main lode down to about 50 metres of depth.
This project also sits just 2.2 kilometres from Star Minerals’ Tumblegum South Gold Project, which contains a reported inferred resource estimate of 600,000 tonnes at 2.2 g/t gold.
Low-risk approach; potential for high rewards
“We are excited to strike the first blow at Star of the East and looking forward to following up on some of the exciting historical results that we have seen,” Star Minerals CEO Greg Almond said.
“We are very excited to add this historical and very promising project to our portfolio and are looking forward to our first set of results from this drilling program.
“We are keen to deploy our existing knowledge and expertise to this area and consider this option to be a low-risk approach with potential for high rewards.
“Many historic mines such as Star of the East, once believed to be mined out, prove to have a significant endowment once modern exploration techniques are employed and we are confident that will be the case here.”
Star Minerals' work at Star of the East is supported by the company’s previous efforts at Tumblegum South, which is interpreted to have similar geology and mineralisation styles.
The company’s current focus is completing drilling work at Tumblegum South.
SMS intends to begin substantial drilling at the Star of the East and West Bryah projects once Tumblegum has moved to the technical and development stage.