The intercept is a new record at Great Southern’s (ASX:GSN) Southern Star deposit – part of the Duketon Gold Project in WA – and confirms the depth potential remains ‘open’.

‘Open’ means Great Southern has not found the edges of this rapidly growing deposit.

A total of 4,656m of RC have been drilled by GSN since acquiring the project in February 2021.

Previous results have been excellent, but the newest hit is outstanding:

  • 68m @ 1.9g/t gold from 61m, including 4m @ 15.3g/t from 89m and 5m @ 7g/t Au from 114m.

This drill hole was drilled 16m behind the previous record intercept of 59m at 2.1g/t gold from 53m demonstrating the continuity of high-grade mineralisation in this part of the deposit.

GSN reported another solid double-intercept in an area previously sparsely drilled due to access challenges — 15m at 1.1g/t gold from 41m including 4m @ 3.3g/t, and 15m @ 1g/t from 69m including 2m @ 3g/t.

Very high-grade gold was also tapped in the centre of the deposits with 1m @ 49.4g/t Au from 127m and 7m @ 1.4g/t Au from 143m incl. 3m @ 2.7g/t Au in drill hole 21SSRC0038.

These high-grade results are now starting to join up, revealing a north and south plunging geometry to the deposit as illustrated on the long section:

great southern star section gold
Long section of Southern Star with pierce points of downhole intersections displayed in gram metres, highlighting the high-grade intersections of previous and recent drill intersections with the recent high-grade intersections at depth highlighted. Pic: Supplied

Diamond drilling is planned in the centre of the deposit for additional geological data to improve the understanding of the orientation of the mineralised structures.

Meanwhile, gold was also intercepted at the far northern extent of the deposit, with 7m @ 1g/t from 72m and 7m @ 1.2g/t from 94m.

This illustrates that the deposit is still open to the north, the company says.

This observation is in addition to the obvious potential from the recent discovery 200m to the south.

 

Bigger than Ben Hur?

“In terms of mineralisation style, Southern Star is the same as Ben Hur and Rosemount which have progressively grown into company-making deposits, and we see no reason for this not to also occur at Southern Star,” chief exec Sean Gregory said previously.

Regis Resources’ (ASX:RRL) Ben Hur (400,000oz) deposit and Rosemont (>1Moz) mine are 4km and 24km along strike, respectively.

Based on the success of this drilling campaign GSN is now planning further RC and diamond drilling to test the discovery zone, strike extensions and depth potential at Southern Star.

“Once again Southern Star has delivered thick high grade gold intercepts confirming the grade continuity and depth potential of the deposit,” Gregory says.

“This reinforces the imperative to continue drilling what is shaping up as a very substantial gold deposit.

“Discussion with RC and diamond drilling contractors to see drilling resume at Southern Star as a priority have commenced.”

This article was developed in collaboration with Great Southern Mining, 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.