Blackham Resources Limited (ASX: BLK) has reported further strong results from resource and reserve development drilling designed to expand reserves ahead of the mid-2020 Stage 1 Sulphide Expansion production at its 6.4 million ounce Wiluna Gold Mine in Western Australia.
The latest results from sulphide reserves expansion drilling include: 21m @ 7.04 g/t from 196m; 16m @ 3.72 g/t from 254m incl. 4m @ 8.23g/t, and 2m @ 6.51g/t; and 8m @ 10.10g/t from 225m.
Executive Chairman, Milan Jerkovic, said Stage 1 sulphide production aims to ramp up through 2021 to 100-120,000 oz per annum.
He said Wiluna is endowed with a large underground sulphide resource that currently stands at 18.5Mt @ 4.82 g/t for 2.9Moz, including 1.7Moz (58%) in the inferred category, which presents the company with substantial reserve conversion and life-of-mine extension opportunities.
The future of the Wiluna Gold Mine is targeting high grade underground sulphide ounces,” Mr Jerkovic said.
“Its early days – we have drilled only 3,000m of 45,000m of a planned reserve and new shoot discovery programme, which builds upon over 3,000km of historical drilling at the project and 100km of existing and adjacent underground development.
“We are targeting new shallow high-grade shoots ‘under the headframe’ for production from mid-2020.”
Blackham’s strategy is to target high-grade +5g/t shoots on the main East and West gold structures, which have a combined strike length of 7km. High-grade shoot discoveries within 300m of surface could be quickly brought into the mine plan as substantial mine development already exists including five access declines.
The current programme targeting infill of high grade inferred resources and new shallow shoot discoveries is part of a larger programme of 45,000m planned over the next 18 months.
Blackham’s initial drilling is aimed at infill and extension of Stage 1 sulphide reserves ahead of the commencement of mining in mid-2020.
Drilling has targeted high-grade inferred zones and new shoot discoveries at shallow levels and close to existing underground infrastructure for early development. Results are reported here for further seven holes for 1,940m.
To date 3,448m has been completed of the first phase 7,000m RC programme.