A ‘record’ high-grade tin intersection of 20.9 metres @ 1.97% tin is part of the haul Stellar Resources Ltd (ASX:SRZ, OTC:SLROF) has made in first drilling results from the ongoing program at the Heemskirk Tin Project in Western Tasmania.
Three rigs are operating on site at present and the company is reporting results on a rolling basis.
The program consists of 24 holes covering around 9,500 metres at the Severn and Queen Hill deposits and focused on infill and extensional drilling, with eight holes over 3,600 completed so far.
A prefeasibility study is now underway, and the company will plug these results into that to assess Heemskirk’s potential.
Record results
Stellar managing director Simon Taylor said: “The record intersection in the first results from our prefeasibility drilling program is outstanding and emphasises that Heemskirk is a large tin system with all the hallmarks for development into a world class, long-life tin operation.”
At the Severn deposit, drillhole ZS166 returned multiple high-grade zones of mineralisation downhole including what the company is calling the best intersection on record on a grade * thickness basis (tin% * metres).
The results reveal:
- 20.9 metres @ 1.97% tin from 431.0 metres including 14.8 metres @ 2.40% tin from 437.1 metres, and 5.9 metres @ 3.36% tin from 437.1 metres;
- 4 metres @ 1.67% tin from 510 metres;
- 6 metres @ 1.63% tin from 522 metres; and
- 5 metres @ 1.70% tin from 533 metres including 1 metre @ 7.34% tin from 533 metres.
Encouragingly, the intersections are within the Inferred category of the 2023 mineral resource estimate (MRE) and have returned significantly higher grade and thickness than predicted by the current mineral resource model.
And there’s more exploring to do – the mineralisation remains open down plunge with the nearest hole a further 145 metres down dip.
At Queen Hill, drillhole ZQ165 confirmed northern extension for follow up, returning 4 metres @ 0.52% tin from 310 metres.
What’s next?
A geophysical crew is mobilising to site in early December to complete fixed loop surface and downhole electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys at Severn and Queen Hill as part of the resource expansion program.
“Our recent base case scoping study confirms a 10-year mine life utilising only the Indicated resources from our MRE, which is likely to grow substantially when we update our resource in 2025,” Taylor continued.
“We currently have three drill rigs onsite aiming to upgrade the substantial inferred material to the indicated category and to explore for extensions to the system with a down hole electromagnetic survey commencing next month.
“In tandem, our prefeasibility and baseline environmental studies are progressing well.
“We look forward to providing further updates on prefeasibility activities, including drilling results, ore sorting and metallurgical results, as they come to hand.”