Helix Resources (ASX:HLX) has confirmed continuity of high-grade gold mineralisation extends under cover between known historical mine workings at the Muriel Tank gold project in central NSW.
“In many cases this historical drilling at Muriel Tank intersected underground stopes, demonstrating how closely targeted past exploration was, directly at the known workings,” Managing Director, Kylie Prendergast, said.
“Building on recent gold rock chip results, the auger drilling campaign has confirmed broad areas of mineralisation which significantly increase the potential of the largely undrilled Muriel Tank prospect. The historical goldfield is sizable and previous drilling was very patchy.
"There is a paucity of information about the ground between and along strike from these deposits, given much of the focus was on outcropping areas. While the auger work conducted to date is early-stage, it is demonstrating a far greater distribution of mineralised structures, possible greater continuity and overall a much larger scale making it a very attractive, modern day gold target.
“Based on these results, Helix has commenced target generation work for an RC drilling campaign to be conducted in the new year. In addition, auger drilling work will be continued to further expand our geological database.
"With a systematic program underway, the outlook at Muriel Tank is particularly favourable with elevated gold prices and emerging pathways for a gold project in the region. Nearby, 20km to the west, there is a new gold plant under construction at the Mt Boppy Gold Mine as well as Aurelia’s Peak Plant and Kingston’s Mineral Hill Plant.”
Muriel Tank is a historic goldfield with recorded production of over 400 tonnes at 15 g/t Au from shallow workings up to 30m deep. Gold mineralisation at Muriel Tank occurs within a 5km long by 1.5km wide structural corridor extending from the Russel’s Mine in the northwest to Brown’s Hope in the southeast.
The gold mineralisation is hosted within sub-vertical shear zones up to 4m wide containing quartz veins and quartz breccias up to 2m thick. Gold-bearing quartz veins, quartz breccia and gossan occur in the shear zones that trend north-northwest. The highest-grade gold is hosted in blue quartz within these structures.
Recent field mapping identified sub-parallel and along strike zones of blue quartz veins, quartz breccia and stockwork that are highly prospective for further gold mineralisation. Due to the presence of alluvial cover in the area, it is unclear how many vein outcrops continue along strike under cover. Many of these veins remain undrilled6.
Previous historical drilling was mostly targeted directly at the old workings delivering inconclusive results as often the historical workings and stope fill was intersected.
