All holes drilled to date have intersected mineralisation where expected, providing confidence in a resource update. Pic: Getty Images
Drilling at QML’s Develin Creek goes swimmingly with resource upgrade to follow
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- QML’s maiden drilling is progressing well at Develin Creek
- So far, drilling has confirmed mineralisation with a resource upgrade to follow
- Assay results are expected to be received in the coming weeks
Special Report: Inaugural drilling at QML’s Develin Creek project has intersected mineralisation in all holes, providing confidence in a resource update.
QMines’ (ASX:QML) Develin Creek project is one of two advanced-stage copper projects, near Rockhampton, QLD covering a total area of 603.7km2.
A maiden drilling program of up to 4,000m has been underway since August to upgrade the current 3.2Mt resource grading 1.05% copper, 1.22% zinc, 0.17g/t gold and 5.9g/t silver with 47% of the resource falling into the indicated category and 53% in the higher confidence indicated category, to support mine planning.
The 60-hole program has been planned for the Scorpion and Window deposit and will be completed by the company’s reverse circulation (RC) drill rig with planned hole depths between 50–200m.
Drilling update
So far, QML says all drill holes have intersected mineralisation where expected, providing confidence in a resource update.
It is the company’s intention to incorporate the Develin Creek deposits into the mine plan to increase the scale and profitability of the Mt Chalmers project.
“QMines is now focusing on drilling at Develin Creek,” QML chairman Andrew Sparke said.
“Develin Creek hosts two high-grade copper deposits at Scorpion and Sulphide City, which fall outside of the current Mt Chalmers mine plan.
“These deposits provide potential to increase the scale of a potential mining operation at the nearby Mt Chalmers project.”
QML aims to increase the ore reserve and extend the Mt Chalmers mine life with the addition of the higher-grade Develin Creek material into the mine plan.
What’s next?
Samples from the completed RC drill holes have been dispatched to ALS laboratory in Brisbane for assay, with results expected in the coming weeks.
Sample submissions will be made at regular intervals throughout the program.
This article was developed in collaboration with QMines, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
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