Westgold Resources has issued an update on drilling at its Great Fingall deposit in Cue, Western Australia, announcing that new data shows greater mining potential than originally anticipated.
Drilling results show that the existing interpretation, based upon largely pre-Westgold data, indicated a flattening of the Great Fingall Reef with depth. However, this flattening is now considered to be a hanging wall bifurcation, with the main Great Fingall Reef now interpreted to be steeper in trajectory and in line with the historic workings.
Westgold said a “spectacular” gold interval shows a potential upside to the current mine plan, with the latest holes validating the new interpretation. Several holes have intersected geology more consistent with the reinterpreted Great Fingall Reef geometry, with one hole’s results significantly better than the prevailing Mineral Resource Estimate at the same level.
Westgold Managing Director, Wayne Bramwell, said, “These latest results demonstrate the substantial latent value potential we are yet to unlock at Great Fingall, which is one of three mines within Westgold’s suite of assets with over a million ounces of historical gold production.
“These new observations have been validated, with the reinterpreted orebody geometry being intersected within metres of where it has been predicted by recent drill holes designed to test the updated interpretation. Those drill holes return intervals which highlight the significant and very real potential we see at Great Fingall.
“The size of the prize here is large and its proximity to our Tuckabianna processing hub demands we continue to systematically test, evaluate, and define a plan that maximises the value from this iconic, high grade mine.”
The drilling programme will be extended into Q4 FY23, with the newly-interpreted Great Fingall Reef geometry to underpin a revised Mineral Resource Estimate, mine plan and commercial evaluation.
The Great Fingall deposit has been producing gold since the late 1800s, with mining being conducted in the area from 1891 to 1929.
The last drilling completed by Westgold in 2020 left the pit floor 170m below surface, with underground decline access established.
