Alta Zinc Limited (ASX: AZI) has significantly expanded the exploration footprint at the greater Gorno project in Italy with the results of sampling from new mineralised areas.
Managing Director, Geraint Harris, said the results include recent sampling that was undertaken at Arera and extensions at Fontanone and the Zorzone resource areas, which have confirmed the presence of high-grade sulphide mineralisation throughout the greater Gorno project area.
The analysis of historical drilling data from Fontanone and Zorzone confirms the same stratabound mineralisation style to that identified at Pian Bracca. These zones were previously considered to be discrete pods however, recent structural analysis indicates they occur in a common stratabound horizon which has had only limited historical drilling and therefore retains the potential for more extensive high-grade areas.
These extensional zones will form part of the exploration focus in the drill programme for 2020/2021.
At Arera, geological reconnaissance has confirmed that whilst widespread historical mining focused on the extraction of oxide mineralisation the surrounding sulphide mineralisation remains in-situ. This work has demonstrated historical oxide-mining areas can host untapped sulphide mineralisation and provides a further useful targeting technique to guide ongoing exploration for additional areas of potential mineral resources.
Managing Director, Geraint Harris, said
In addition to current drilling at Pian Bracca our geology team has been working to enhance the understanding of the wider-scale potential for additional mineralisation within the greater Gorno Project,” Mr Harris said.
“These results clearly demonstrate that high-grade mineralisation can be found in many areas of the Project and on several horizons of mineralisation that gives rise to multiple new targets.
“As we move forward, we are gaining geological insights that will guide our exploration campaign, with the goal of significantly growing the mineral resource base at Gorno.”
Drilling has so far focussed on testing the potential mineral extensions of Pian Bracca to the west, with the next drilling now planned to test for extensions to the north-east and south-east.
To maximise efficient logistics drill pad locations have so far been focussed solely on the 990m RL underground level, which has limited the extent of drill access to the west. Further western extension drilling will next take place from the 940m RL level after moving the drill-rig down to that level.
Also, small tunnel dimensions relative to the drill rig size, have meant that a second (low profile drill rig) has been sourced by our contractor and will be mobilised to drill Pian Bracca south-east and thereafter the Ponente area.
