Intensified field exploration recommences at Elizabeth Hill following inaugural drilling success
Alien Metals Limited (AIM: UFO), a minerals exploration and development company, is pleased to report that its joint venture partner, West Coast Silver Limited (ASX: WCE), has announced that it has recommenced a high intensity exploration campaign at the Elizabeth Hill Silver Project (“Elizabeth Hill” or the “Project”) in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The Project, in which Alien retains a 30% free-carried interest through to a decision to mine, is operated by WCE.
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Highlights:
· Phase 2 Exploration ramping up at Elizabeth Hill
· Mapping of high priority near mine exploration targets has commenced
· Exploration planning well advanced for next phase of drilling
· Phase 2 Drilling anticipated to commence in circa six weeks
· Quantification of near surface mineralisation ongoing
· Discussions commenced regarding the condition assessment and works required at Radio Hill processing plant owned by Artemis Resources (ASX: ARV) to process Elizabeth Hill material
Robert Mosig, Technical Director, commented:
“Resumption of systematic exploration at Elizabeth Hill is an important milestone for the joint venture. The inaugural drilling program confirmed the presence of exceptionally high-grade silver mineralisation close to surface, and the follow-up works now underway are designed to build on that success by further defining the scale and continuity of the deposit. With a focused programme of mapping, geophysics and targeted drilling, the Project team is well placed to quantify the near-surface potential and unlock additional value from one of Australia’s highest-grade historical silver mines.”
Exploration Ramp Up
WCE’s last few month’s activities, which included completion of its inaugural drilling campaign (containing high grade shallow silver intercepts of 1,615 g/t over 13m in 25WCDD011 including 2m at 10,049 g/t) and its A$6m placement, have fast-tracked the commencement of an intensive exploration campaign at Elizabeth Hill and the surrounding near-mine and regional targets.
WCE is being supported in its exploration efforts by geologists from ERM Technical Mining Services Consultants (“ERM”), with Max Nind appointed as the interim WCE Chief Geologist, and structural geologist Dr Peter Neumayr, guiding the exploration.
Exploration at the Elizabeth Hill Silver Project has already commenced with Dr Neumayr mobilised to site to commence field mapping around Elizabeth Hill, as well as at the previously reported 12 high priority near mine exploration targets. Upcoming exploration activities, to be carried out in parallel to the detailed mapping, will involve a drone magnetics survey aimed at acquiring high-resolution magnetic data along the Munni Munni Fault. This survey aims to identify magnetic signatures that are comparable to those associated with the silver mineralisation at the Elizabeth Hill mine.
Drill targeting is also well advanced to further quantify the near surface silver mineralisation at the mine site. The upcoming drilling campaign will also include testing of deeper targets in and around Elizabeth Hill to confirm down dip potential. Drilling tenders have been received, and a drilling contract will be signed in the near term.
ERM is concurrently progressing works required to quantify the near surface potentially open-pittable mineralisation at the Elizabeth Hill mine site. Discussions are also being progressed with Artemis Resources (ASX: ARV) with regard to the Radio Hill processing plant to assess the existing infrastructure as a potential option for the future processing of Elizabeth Hill material. Radio Hill has previously been upgraded, including the installation of a ‘Gekko Plant’, which has not been utilised. Further upgrade works and modifications may be required, and this will be determined as part of the assessment works.
Figure 1 – WCE exploration team at Elizabeth Hill, including Chief Geologist Max Nind, ERM Structural Geologist, Dr Peter Neumayr and Site Supervisor, Mick Sutherland
Figure 2 – Area of proposed drone magnetic survey with high priority prospects that will be comprehensively mapped and investigated for future exploration activities
Elizabeth Hill Silver Project Overview
Elizabeth Hill, one of Australia’s highest-grade silver projects, has a proven production history outlined below:
· High grades enable low processing tonnes: 1.2Moz of silver was produced from just 16,830t of ore at a head grade of 2,194g/t (70.5 oz/t Ag)[1]
· Previous mining operation ceased abruptly in 2000 because of low prevailing silver prices (US$5/oz)[2] and a dispute between previous joint venture parties
· Simplistic historical processing technique: native silver was recovered via low-cost gravity separation due to high grades and large silver nugget sizing
· Significant untapped potential remains in and around the historical mine site, with limited, outdated drilling and geophysics deployed
· Tier-1 mining jurisdiction – located on a mining lease with processing facilities adjacent at the nearby Radio Hill
Figure 3 – Tenement Location
Competent Person’s Statement
The information in this announcement that relates to Drilling Results is based on information compiled by Mr Robert Mosig a Competent Person who is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Mosig is a Director of West Coast Silver Limited and a Director of Alien Metals Limited.
Mr Mosig has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposits under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’, and a Specialist under the 2015 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Public Reporting of technical assessments and valuations of mineral assets’.
Mr Mosig consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information and in the form and context in which it appears.
For further information, please visit the Company’s website at www.alienmetals.uk
