Askari targets untested anomalies in Wheatbelt gold chase

Junior explorer Askari Metals has completed a third phase of RC drilling at the company’s Burracoppin gold project in WA’s Wheatbelt region. The 40-hole campaign was designed to target untested anomalies and build on known gold mineralisation intersected in the previous two phases as the company looks to table a maiden mineral resource for the project.

Askari’s 3639m RC program probed two untested areas lit up by gold anomalism in soil geochemical data and an array of prominent structures revealed in a magnetic survey proximal to the project’s Burgess Find, Christmas Gift and Benbur prospects.

The geochemical anomalies were generally tested with short 50m holes, with select probes penetrating further to provide potentially useful geological information.

The exploration also tested strike extensions of the main Christmas Gift and Burgess Find zones in addition to a depth extension of an 8.5m intercept going 4.88g/t gold from 19.5m encountered during the second phase at Benbur.

All samples have been dispatched to the laboratory, with Askari now eagerly awaiting the results.

Askari Metals Vice-President of Exploration and Geology, Johan Lambrechts said: “The design of the Phase III program tested several exciting, previously untested, and potentially new zones of mineralisation which we hope will add significantly to the mineralisation footprint and future resource potential of the project.”

The explorer was particularly enthused whilst passing the rig over Burracoppin for the third time as it is looking to build upon the high grades achieved in its earlier work.

The first phase yielded solid gold hits including 4m at 4.27 grams per tonne from 25m and 3m at 3.57 g/t from 40m.

In follow-up, the second phase continued in a higher-grade fashion, tabling the significant gold intercept of 8.5m at 4.88g/t from 19.5m and another sweet strike of 1m at 13.2g/t from 34m.

As the explorer continues to stack up its gold intercepts, it appears Askari is moving closer towards its goal of a maiden mineral resource for the Burracoppin gold project.

Considering less than 25km to the north-east is ASX-listed Ramelius Resources’ Edna May gold mine, Askari tabling a mineral resource appears to go with the territory.

More than 1 million ounces of gold have been produced from the mine, with annual production ranging between 66,000 and 99,000 ounces since 2011.

With most of WA’s world-class gold production coming from the aptly named Goldfields region, the Wheatbelt has long been overshadowed. However, in business and in life, sometimes the greatest treasures are found on the road less travelled.

Askari and Ramelius aren’t the only ones drawn to the eclipsed region as the ASX-listed company Cygnus Gold has also gone all-in on the Wheatbelt.

The neighbouring gold explorer is targeting the discovery of gold and base metal deposits within the Southwest Terrane, the very same package of rocks of that Askari has neatly tied up within its fence lines.

Whilst the horses may have only just come out of the gate, it will be interesting to see if Askari can continue its hot streak of high grades and land a maiden resource that will tip the odds in its favour.

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: matt.birney@businessnews.com.au