KINGSTON Resources Limited has completed an updated geological model for the Quartz Mountain region, part of its 2.8Moz Misima Gold Project in PNG, to incorporate recent drilling and exploration data.
An extensive internal review of existing Quartz Mountain geological data complemented by recent Kingston drilling, geochemical data and structural mapping has concluded that mineralisation in the area is primarily structurally controlled.
Previous interpretations had mineralisation controlled by lithological contacts between the greenstone unit and porphyry/marble. The structural regime of the area is defined by a series of intersecting NW, WNW, and NS trending high angle near vertical faults.
Many of the historic holes are interpreted to have missed or poorly tested the mineralisation, as they were drilled at a near vertical angle reducing the likelihood of intersecting the vertical structures.
Kingston’s updated interpretation opens up new targeting opportunities in the area and will inform exploration activities in the region going forward, including the current Stage 2 drill program.
The Stage 2 Quartz Mountain drilling programme, focused on the Ewatinona and Abi areas, is now underway to follow up on successful Stage 1 results.
Kingston Resources Limited managing director, Andrew Corbett said drilling at Ewatinona is designed to upgrade and extend the existing 220,000oz resource. Drilling at Abi will follow-up on the high-grade intersection from Hole GDD044, which returned 23.6m @ 2.91g/t Au from 7.4m, including 13.5m @ 4.60g/t Au from 17.5m, as well as testing structural targets identified from the initial drilling program and recent fieldwork.
The breccia unit is interpreted to be steep dipping to the north east, potentially controlled by the NW trending, NE dipping Abi fault. Results from the remaining three holes in the initial Abi program identified more limited mineralisation over narrower or deeper intercepts suggesting that mineralisation could be concentrated in WNW-EW and NS trending structures in that area.
“It is fantastic to see our recent work on advancing our understanding of the Misima geology pay off at Quartz Mountain. This work is expected to help upgrade the existing 220,000oz Inferred Resource at Ewatinona to Indicated status, which is an important step in delivering a starter pit for the project,” Mr Corbett said.
“We are also pleased to be back drilling in the Quartz Mountain area, with the aim of upgrading and expanding the Ewatinona Resource and following-up our exciting first hit at Abi. The potential to delineate high-grade, near-surface ounces within this region is outstanding, with the Quartz Mountain area representing a high priority target to build on our existing 2.8Moz Resource base.
“The close proximity of this area to existing roads and the short haulage distance to the historical mill location could provide material benefits to our future development strategy.
“We also expect to have further drilling results from both Misima North and Umuna East to report in the near term.”
