High-grade, near-surface gold hits have highlighted the potential for Viking’s flagship First Hit project in WA’s Goldfields region to host multiple mineralised shoots.

Assays from the first batch of seven reverse circulation holes out of the 72 that it had recently drilled returned results such as 2m grading 9.67 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 26m downhole (VKRC0023) and 2m at 4.26g/t gold from 75m (VKRC0066).

Importantly for Viking Mines (ASX:VKA), the results support the potential for a mineralised shoot 720m north of the historical First Hit gold mine.

Other assays have confirmed the presence of gold 220m north of the mine workings with two additional potential shoot positions now identified outside of the limits of the First Hit mine workings.

“The first set of assay results from our extensive 72-hole, 6,723m drill programme highlight the excellent potential of our First Hit Project to host multiple mineralised high-grade shoots,” managing director Julian Woodcock said.

“Viking has been consistently executing an exploration strategy focused on identifying narrow-vein, high-grade shoots and holes VKRC0023 and VKRC0066 provide the company with exposure to previously undiscovered mineralisation.”

“We are still in the early stages of exploring First Hit and we are buoyed by the results we have received throughout 2021. Importantly, with over 90% of drillhole assay results from this programme still to be returned, these results will provide critical information to direct future exploration plans around these exciting new prospects.”

Drill program and results

While the company had originally intended to drill 65 holes at First Hit to identify new mineralised shoots north and south of the historical mine workings, Viking subsequently drilled an additional seven holes totalling 724m to test additional areas at the First Hit North and Jana’s Reward target that were identified as drilling progressed.

These included VKRC0066, which was drilled to test the potential down plunge shoot position about 680m north of the historical mine workings and returned visible gold.

The assays received for the seven drill holes represent just 26% of the 27 holes completed at the First Hit North and include the samples within the five holes where visible gold was observed.

Viking noted further assessment of the samples received is required due to the relatively coarse nature of the gold seen in the RC chips.

This will determine if there is a significant nugget effect, where repeat assays have a much higher or lower grade due to the nuggety nature of the mineralisation.

This is commonly seen in high-grade, narrow vein deposits.

Next steps

Once all assay results are returned, the company will load the data into its software and start 3D modelling of the mineralised structures observed.

Viking will also select key samples for multi-element analysis to assist in geological interpretation of host rock types and potential vectoring to high-grade mineralisation and targeting.

 

 

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Viking Mines, 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.