Gold developer Bellevue Gold has further grown the high-grade mineral resources at its namesake project near Leinster, WA, revealing this week that it has now defined 5 million tonnes grading 11.1g/t gold for 1.8 million ounces.
This is a 17% increase in contained gold from the February resource numbers, which is an impressive result given that it has been less than 18 months since the company started exploration drilling at the project.
The mineral resources lie adjacent to a historical mining operation that produced 0.8 million ounces at 15g/t gold up until its closure in 1997.
According to management, the resource upgrade is mainly due to extensions delineated for the Tribune and Viago North lodes.
Gold resources have now been defined to a depth of 600 metres at the project.
High-grade gold mineralisation at Bellevue remains open to the north, south and at depth, with new intersections also having been identified to the west and east of the main mine workings.
The company will also continue exploratory scout drilling of its new gold discoveries at the Deacon and West Tribune prospects and multiple near-mine targets defined as high-priority, untested off-hole electromagnetic conductors.
A cashed-up Bellevue has also commenced early permitting and development works to de-risk the proposed recommencement of gold mining operations at the project.
Licences have now been received that fully permit the company to dewater its existing historical underground and open pits and to test a bore field for a fresh water supply at a future mining camp.
Next steps include the completion of metallurgical test work studies for all defined ore zones, finalising geotechnical assessments in preparation for underground mining designs, establishing water supply locations and refining the geological resource models by completing infill drilling programs.
Bellevue Managing Director Mr Steve Parsons said: “We are pleased to provide an updated independent JORC resource estimate for the Bellevue gold project which has continued to demonstrate the growth of global resource inventory adjacent to the historic high-grade Bellevue gold mine.”
“Drilling is continuing with six diamond core drill rigs currently operating on site. Work will continue to focus on resource growth following up strike extensions to both the north and south of the known high-grade lodes and to test the major new target directly below the historic Bellevue underground workings.”
“It is an exciting time for the company with … early development and permitting works beginning to advance with the addition of a Project Director to the Bellevue team. The company anticipates continuing progress over coming quarters with our growth and de-risking strategy to advance the project back into a high-grade gold operation.”
By Matt Birney
