Alba Minerals Resources plc said it had intersected a potential 550-metre extension to the Main Lode containing most of the historic production at Clogau-St David’s gold mine in North Wales.
The company believes the extension is in westerly direction the Clogau Main Lode and now plans infill surface and underground drilling for confirmation.
FIRST PHASE
The first phase of Alba’s underground drilling programme was completed at the end of October 2020, and included seven drill holes covering a total of 559.5 metres.
All the holes intersected quartz veining, the known geological setting of all historic gold production at the Clogau-St David’s gold mine.
Drill hole L002 returning gold assays of 1.16 metres at 0.653 grammes/tonne (g/t), including 0.25 metres at 1.79 g/t.
Drill holes L002 and L003 intersected the westerly extension of the Clogau Main Lode, representing a 550-metre extension to the Main Lode.
CHALLENGE
Alba’s executive chairman, George Frangeskides said that the intersection of quartz veins along strike from the Main Lode was a “potentially significant” discovery.
“The Main Lode has provided most of the gold production at the Clogau-St David’s gold mine historically, so finding a continuation of the Main Lode which has never previously been exploited would constitute the most significant discovery at the mine in many decades.
“What is more, intersecting representative gold grades at Clogau solely from drilling is always going to be a challenge given the nature of the deposit, which is why our methodology has always involved drilling and bulk sampling working hand-in-hand.
“So, for our drill team to hit a really solid gold intercept in our very first underground drilling campaign of just seven holes is a very positive outcome indeed.
“We intend to undertake infill drilling from surface early in the new year, followed by phase 2 of our underground drilling programme in Q2 of 2021, both being aimed at confirming the continuity of this Main Lode extension.
“Subject to that confirmation, this will become a primary zone for underground development and extraction.”