TNT Mines Ltd (ASX: TIN) has received promising initial results from the maiden reverse circulation (RC) drilling programme, designed to test the down dip extension of the Reids Ridge mine and the northern Reids Ridge geochemical anomaly (up to 412ppb) and intrusive granodiorite targets in Western Australia.
An initial 11-hole RC programme was designed to test the down dip extent of the existing Reids Ridge resource and targets along strike from the historical Reids Ridge mine and proximal to the main Warriedar fault, dubbed Reids North.
Importanly, drill hole RRRC0011 returned significant assays including 20m @ 2.12 g/t gold from 88m to 108m, within 44m @ 1.12g/t gold from 68m, also within a broader interval of 86m @ 0.71g/t gold from 26m.
Mineralisation in RRRC0011 has been intersected proximal to a large geochemical anomaly and zone of demagnetisation, part of a previously untested conceptual target length of over two km in strike.
Mineralisation within RRRC0011is hosted almost exclusively within an oxidised and fresh granodiorite body that outcrops extensively for over 2,500m to the west of the historic Reids Ridge mine location. In contrast to the basalt unit which hosts the Reids Ridge mine, the granodiorite hosted mineralisation shows a very well-developed oxidation profile with the base of weathering down to 40m from surface in conjunction with strong fracturing quartz veining and alteration. The fresh material exhibits minor foliation with pervasive sulphidation, up to 1-2% pyrite, present in the majority of chips logged within the primary zone.
Two other RC holes (RRRC0012 and RRRC0013) were drilled to the south west of hole RRRC0011, with neither intersecting mineralisation of the same magnitude. However, RRRC0012 did intersect 20m @ 0.10 g/t goldfrom 96m down hole. Both holes are now interpreted to be collared too far to the west of the granodiorite contact to have tested the prospective horizon.
Only three reconnaissance holes from the recent programme were drilled into the granodiorite target as this style of mineralisation had not previously been considered a priority target.
CEO, Matthew Boyes, said a detailed follow up geophysical review is to now be undertaken to formulate the next round of drill targets and assist with drill hole design.
The team is very excited about the potential for the Reids North intrusive to develop into a significant system,” Mr Boyes said.
“Mineralisation is hosted within an intrusive that outcrops over a known strike in excess of 2km that presents a compelling target. TNT will be following up this first pass programme with a detailed geophysical review and further drilling in an attempt to better understand and grow this new gold system.”
Next Steps
A follow up RC drill programme to this discovery hole at Reids North is currently being designed, and will commence asap following the completion of the Eureka South geochemical anomaly drilling that is now underway.
A full geophysical review and targeting study will now be carried out. Due to the elevated percentage of sulphide mineralisation mainly in the form of pyrite intersected with the broad intervals and present on all metres of the fresh intrusive host rock, it is anticipated that the target is likely to react favourably to electrical induced techniques.
As yet the strike and overall mineralisation controls are not fully understood and petrology is underway which will help build the overall understanding of the mineralising controls represented at the Reids North occurrence. Single metre splits of the 4m composite assays will be released as soon as they are available.