Yandal Resources Ltd (ASX: YRL) has commenced an RC drilling programme on its 100% owned Mt McClure Project aimed at growing the 136,000 ounce Resource inventory in Western Australia.
The Mt McClure Project is located 15km SW of the historic Bronzewing gold mine and 10km from the Orelia gold mine, both owned by Northern Star Resources Ltd in the southern Yandal Belt.
During the September 2022 quarter, the company completed initial Mineral Resource Estimates (MRE’s) on the margins of the Success, Parmelia and Challenger historic open pits which resulted in a combined Resource inventory of 2.225Mt @ 1.9g/t Au for 136,000oz at a 1.0g/t lower cut-off.
Drilling completed after the completion of the MRE confirmed a number of areas with the potential to build on this initial Resource. The most advanced opportunity is the HMS Sulphur deposit located immediately north and along strike to the Success deposit.
Sulphur was first targeted and drill tested by Yandal in 2021, returning a number of encouraging intercepts such as 11m @ 2.6g/t Au from 73m, including 8m @ 3.3g/t Au (YRLRC401). More recent drilling has returned further positive results; 14m @ 1.5g/t Au from 113m (YRLRC1076) and 11m @ 1.5g/t Au from 64m (YRLRC1098).
Previous drilling indicates relatively continuous mineralisation extending over a strike length of approximately 700m from the near-surface.
As with the nearby Success and Orelia deposits, there is an indication of south plunging high-grade structural controls; however, the current drill spacing remains too broad for this to be confirmed. The program will comprise approximately 29 drill holes for 2,500m and will provide drill coverage at a nominal 50m by 50m spacing across the current extents of mineralisation.
“This RC programme follows on from RC drilling completed in the December quarter last year that was designed to highlight areas with potential to add to our 136,000 ounce resource at Mt McClure,” Managing Director, Tim Kennedy, said.
“HMS Sulphur is a stand-out target showing consistent shallow mineralisation over a 700m plus strike length located immediately adjacent to our Success Resource. As with all of the Resources at Mt McClure it has the added advantage of being located on granted mining leases and close to existing haulage infrastructure.
“This drilling, which is designed to provide sufficient drill density to complete an initial Mineral Resource Estimate, will also add to our geological knowledge and will potentially highlight the presence of higher grade plunging shoots similar to those at the nearby +1Moz Orelia deposit being developed by Northern Star.”