West Coast Silver kicks off round 2 on premier Pilbara silver

• West Coast Silver intensifies fieldwork in phase 2 exploration at Elizabeth Hill
• Preparations well-advanced for a next round of drilling after the first returned multiple high-grade intercepts
• New geologists to help explore near-mine targets and wider tenement package for potential lookalikes

Special Report: A cashed up West Coast Silver has begun its second phase of exploration in the wake of some super high-grade silver strikes at its Elizabeth Hill project in WA’s Pilbara.

Fast-tracked exploration is underway over the namesake mine and surrounding targets after a first round of drilling returned intersections exceeding 10,000g/t silver and some high-grade gold to boot.

To aid its endeavours, West Coast Silver (ASX:WCE) has appointed Max Nind as interim chief geologist with structural geo Dr Peter Neumayr alongside to guide the exploration, which is well-funded after an oversubscribed $6M placement.

Quantification of near-surface mineralisation is ongoing and plans are being made for the next round of drilling expected to start in about six weeks.

“The West Coast Silver team is focused on implementing a systematic technical approach to identify and prove up the near surface mineralisation identified in our initial drilling as well as numerous high priority targets identified by ERM,” executive chairman Bruce Garlick said.

“The work will feed into planning the next drill program at the Elizabeth Hill project area.”

Garlick added the company was delighted to welcome its new geologists and that it was in a great position with a healthy cash balance and highly experienced team to unlock the value of Elizabeth Hill.

Pilbara silver

Traditionally known for high-grade iron ore deposits, the Pilbara region is undergoing a second wave of precious metal perforation.

A search for another Hemi has taken most of the limelight, but not all that glitters is gold, and in the Elizabeth Hill mine West Coast Silver saw its namesake commodity and a history of high-grade production.

The mine was shuttered about a quarter of a century ago when silver prices were trading around US$5 an ounce.

It’s now trading a little above US$40 a pop but WCE is aiming to accumulate ounces before any potential restart, with a 180km2 land package considered prospective for more lookalike deposits.

The company has a dozen high-priority near-mine targets to investigate and alongside mapping, will fly a drone magnetic survey to acquire data along its chunk of the Munni Munni fault system to look for comparable signatures to the Elizabeth Hill system.

Looking towards a potential restart, WCE has begun talks with Artemis Resources (ASX:ARV) about the works required at its Radio Hill plant to process material from Elizabeth Hill.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.