ECR Minerals plc (LON: ECR), the gold exploration and development company focussed on gold exploration in Australia, is pleased to announce a current update on drilling at HR3 including results and geological interpretation completed for BH3DD012, current drilling activities and future drilling plans within EL5433.
ECR Minerals plc has 100% ownership of the Bailieston Project (EL5433) and contains the gold prospects known as HR3, Cherry Tree, Blue Moon and Black Cat. The projects are operated under ECR Minerals plc Australian wholly owned subsidiary Mercator Gold Australia Pty Ltd (“MGA”).
ECR Chairman David Tang commented: ““A significant amount of work has gone into the drilling programme at HR3, and I am delighted to note that following on from the results at hole BH3DD019, we continue to see encouraging and consistent gold grades in BH3DD012 and visible gold in BH3DD034. Importantly we continue to build on our understanding of the Maori Anticline and the regional gold trend ahead of an infill drilling programme.”
“I know Adam and his team are excited by the potential at the Blue Moon prospect, and I look forward to reporting back to you once work commences there.”
“Finally, regarding our search for a new CEO, I am pleased to report we have shortlisted three candidates and we will provide updates to the market in due course, as required.”
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Diamond drill hole BH3DD012 was drilled 100m south and parallel to the previously announced hole (BH3DD019). Five mineralised zones have been identified and correlated to the Maori Anticline.
- The best intercepts within each of the five mineralised zones include 0.8m @ 3.81 g/t Au (Zone 1); 0.5m @ 3.87 g/t Au (Zone 2); 0.5m @ 4.26 g/t Au (Zone 3); 0.6m @ 2.25 g/t Au (Zone 4) and 1m @ 0.51 g/t Au (Zone 5).
- Drilling and sampling of holes BH3DD032, BH3DD033, BH3DD034 and BH3DD035 are currently in progress to follow up best gold intercepts found in BH3DD019. Visible gold has been identified in BH3DD034 at 149.5m downhole.
This announcement is written to reference to the following three figures:
Fig 1: BH3DD012 geological section:
https://www.ecrminerals.com/images/2022/fig1_BH3DD012.png
Fig 2: Location and plan of recent drilling with current status, HR3:
https://www.ecrminerals.com/images/2022/fig2_Current_drillplan_HR3.png
Fig 3: BH3DD034 visible gold
https://www.ecrminerals.com/images/2022/fig3_BH3DD034_vg.png
OVERVIEW OF BH3DD012
On 30 February 2022, ECR announced that a series of four holes (BH3DD012, BH3DD014, BH3DD020 and BH3DD021) had been drilled perpendicular to the trend of reef lines within the HR3 Goldfield to aid interpretation of the main faults and folding with known mineralisation. The Company has now received gold results for hole BH3DD012.
BH3DD012 was collared in 100m to the south and drilled parallel to adjacent hole BH3DD019. Geological interpretation is now revealing the main rock-type groupings and the style of mineralised veins that are associated with the Maori Anticline. MGA’s geology team has correlated the veins identified in BH3DD012 to hole BH3DD019, giving further understanding to the structural architecture of the HR3 Goldfield.
Five zones of mineralisation have been identified from hole BH3DD012. (Fig 1)
Zone 1 features a quartz stockwork zone hosted within a massive brittle sandstone rock unit that has a drilled thicknes of 2.7 metres. Best intercepts were 0.8m @ 3.81 g/t Au (from 57.3m) and 0.7m @ 3.32 g/t Au (from 59.3m)
Zone 2 can be linked to the Scoulers Reef structure represented by orthogonal veining within a sheared zone. Mineralisation is broad at a drilled width of 9.3 metres. Two of the highest intercepts included 1m @ 3.75 g/t Au (from 72m) and 0.5m @ 3.87 g/t Au (from 73.8m)
Zone 3 is represented by narrow bedding-laminated sulphidic veins at a drilled depth of 175.5m which returned 0.5m @ 4.26 g/t Au. The veins are hosted with a planar-laminated siltstone which correlates well to the same lithology in hole BH3DD019. Given this good correlation, it is highly probable Zone 3 veins match to the best intercept of 0.5m @ 9.5 g/t Au in BH3DD019 at 99.9m.
Zone 4 consists of a fault with linking stockwork quartz veining. Best result was 0.6m @ 2.25 g/t Au (from 191m drilled depth).
Zone 5 is a minor occurrence of bedded laminated carbonate veining at 255.6m drilled depth. Traces of stibnite (antimony sulphide) were identified in adjacent veining. This zone has only elevated gold, the best result being 1m @ 0.51 g/t Au (from 255.6m).
BH3DD012 was drilled to a depth of 302.1m. The dip angle of bedding, sedimentary depositional indicators (called younging) have located the hinge zone of the Maori Anticline at an approximate depth of 220m down the drill hole. The geology team is currently interpreting the projection of this hinge to the earlier drilling (BH3DD009) near surface.
Table 1. Summary of drill intercepts containing reportable levels of gold greater than 0.1 g/t Au for BH3DD012 (*highlights in bold). Mineralised ‘Zones’ shown in Fig 1.
BH3DD012
| From | To | Grade (g/t Au) | Interval (m) | Zone |
| 38 | 39 | 0.18 | 1 | |
| 41 | 41.5 | 0.11 | 0.5 | |
| 41.5 | 42.5 | 0.41 | 1 | |
| 44.5 | 45.5 | 0.18 | 1 | |
| 48.5 | 49.5 | 0.14 | 1 | |
| 49.5 | 50 | 0.62 | 0.5 | |
| 50 | 50.5 | 1.54 | 0.5 | |
| 50.5 | 51 | 0.8 | 0.5 | |
| 51 | 52 | 0.74 | 1 | |
| 52 | 53 | 0.33 | 1 | |
| 53.7 | 54.2 | 1.16 | 0.5 | |
| 54.2 | 54.5 | 1.38 | 0.3 | |
| 54.5 | 55.5 | 0.15 | 1 | |
| 55.5 | 56.5 | 0.28 | 1 | |
| 56.5 | 57.3 | 0.53 | 0.8 | |
| 57.3 | 58.1 | 3.81 | 0.8 | ZONE 1 |
| 58.1 | 58.9 | 1.25 | 0.8 | ZONE 1 |
| 58.9 | 59.3 | 0.32 | 0.4 | ZONE 1 |
| 59.3 | 60 | 3.32 | 0.7 | ZONE 1 |
| 65 | 66 | 0.16 | 1 | |
| 66 | 67 | 0.82 | 1 | |
| 67 | 68 | 1.22 | 1 | ZONE 2 (Scoulers Reef) |
| 68 | 69 | 1.77 | 1 | ZONE 2 (Scoulers Reef) |
| 69 | 70 | 2.28 | 1 | ZONE 2 (Scoulers Reef) |
| 70 | 71 | 1.32 | 1 | ZONE 2 (Scoulers Reef) |
| 71 | 72 | 1.39 | 1 | ZONE 2 (Scoulers Reef) |
| 72 | 73 | 3.75 | 1 | ZONE 2 (Scoulers Reef) |
| 73 | 73.8 | 1.24 | 0.8 | ZONE 2 (Scoulers Reef) |
| 73.8 | 74.3 | 3.87 | 0.5 | ZONE 2 (Scoulers Reef) |
| 74.3 | 74.8 | 1.14 | 0.5 | ZONE 2 (Scoulers Reef) |
| 74.8 | 75.3 | 0.73 | 0.5 | ZONE 2 (Scoulers Reef) |
| 75.3 | 76.3 | 0.45 | 1 | ZONE 2 (Scoulers Reef) |
| 76.3 | 76.9 | 0.15 | 0.6 | |
| 76.9 | 77.4 | 0.31 | 0.5 | |
| 77.4 | 78 | 1.02 | 0.6 | |
| 78 | 79 | 0.98 | 1 | |
| 79.5 | 80 | 0.28 | 0.5 | |
| 80 | 81 | 0.24 | 1 | |
| 81 | 81.7 | 0.74 | 0.7 | |
| 81.7 | 82.3 | 1.06 | 0.6 | |
| 82.3 | 83 | 0.77 | 0.7 | |
| 126.8 | 127.3 | 0.26 | 0.5 | |
| 128 | 129 | 0.13 | 1 | |
| 133.25 | 134 | 0.14 | 0.75 | |
| 134 | 135 | 0.24 | 1 | |
| 136 | 137 | 0.29 | 1 | |
| 138 | 139 | 0.19 | 1 | |
| 139 | 140 | 0.24 | 1 | |
| 144 | 145 | 0.13 | 1 | |
| 145 | 146 | 0.17 | 1 | |
| 151.1 | 151.9 | 0.15 | 0.8 | |
| 151.9 | 152.3 | 0.13 | 0.4 | |
| 175 | 175.5 | 0.13 | 0.5 | |
| 175.5 | 176 | 4.26 | 0.5 | ZONE 3 |
| 176 | 177 | 0.21 | 1 | |
| 183.3 | 183.8 | 0.18 | 0.5 | |
| 187.3 | 188.3 | 0.13 | 1 | |
| 189.2 | 190 | 0.11 | 0.8 | |
| 190 | 190.3 | 0.11 | 0.3 | |
| 190.3 | 191 | 0.16 | 0.7 | |
| 191 | 191.6 | 2.25 | 0.6 | ZONE 4 |
| 191.6 | 192.2 | 0.82 | 0.6 | |
| 192.2 | 193 | 0.7 | 0.8 | |
| 193 | 194 | 0.38 | 1 | |
| 213.5 | 214 | 0.17 | 0.5 | |
| 215 | 216 | 0.18 | 1 | |
| 219 | 220 | 0.69 | 1 | |
| 241.3 | 242 | 0.2 | 0.7 | |
| 242 | 242.7 | 0.27 | 0.7 | |
| 248 | 248.5 | 0.13 | 0.5 | |
| 248.5 | 249.1 | 0.14 | 0.6 | |
| 249.1 | 249.8 | 0.28 | 0.7 | |
| 250.5 | 251 | 0.14 | 0.5 | |
| 251.7 | 252 | 0.14 | 0.3 | |
| 252 | 252.8 | 0.24 | 0.8 | |
| 252.8 | 253.8 | 0.11 | 1 | |
| 253.8 | 254.6 | 0.22 | 0.8 | |
| 254.6 | 255.6 | 0.23 | 1 | |
| 255.6 | 256.6 | 0.51 | 1 | ZONE 5 |
| 256.6 | 257.6 | 0.33 | 1 |
BH3DD034-VISIBLE GOLD IDENTIFIED
Drilling of BH3DD019 showed narrow arsenic-stibnite veining emanating from the Maori Anticline. ECR is currently following up these targets by drilling four additional supporting holes (BH3DD032, BH3DD033, BH3DD034 and BH3DD035). Hole BH3DD033 and BH3DD034 has been completed, now awaiting sampling. BH3DD034 has drilled through a narrow-laminated vein 50mm wide showing a visible speck of coarse gold around 1mm in diameter (Fig 3). This is a typical example of a narrow ‘nuggetty’ vein and shows the low probability of drilling such mineralisation. The vein is supported by a broad halo of hydrothermal sulphide. This hole is in the process of being geologically logged in detail and sampled and further updates will be provided in due course.
FUTURE PLANS
ECR is now starting to see the benefits of utilising its own diamond drill rig operated by an ‘in house’ drill team. The team have been drilling an average of c.35m of good quality core per day, reducing the drill meterage rate compared to contracting out the work.
Since the beginning of 2022, the Company has drilled holes into the northern limits of the Maori Reef and drilled two initial holes under the southernmost soil anomaly underneath the Hard-Up Reef. The geological team is also eagerly awaiting outstanding assay results for drilling completed into the Maori and Hard-Up Reef intersection, which will tie in with the results of this announcement.
Upon completion of the complimentary holes to BH3DD019, we plan to move the drill rig up on the low ridgeline to begin initial drilling into the Scoulers Reef and under the other soil anomalies identified along this ridge. Locations of the planned drilling along with recent drilling is shown in Fig 3. Ultimately, we expect that the outcome of the diamond drilling will provide a detailed understanding of the relationship of veining to structures and the possible control on gold deposition within the veins. This is all preparation work for infill RC drilling at a later date.
Additionally, planning is well under way to follow up the RC drilling completed in 2019 over the nearby “Blue Moon” prospect, also on EL5433.
REVIEW OF ANNOUNCEMENT BY QUALIFIED PERSON
This announcement has been reviewed by Adam Jones, a director of ECR Minerals plc. Adam Jones is a professional geologist and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (MAIG). He is a qualified person as that term is defined by the AIM Note for Mining, Oil and Gas Companies.
MARKET ABUSE REGULATIONS (EU) No. 596/2014
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 (MAR). Upon the publication of this announcement via Regulatory Information Service (RIS), this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
| ECR Minerals plc | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7929 1010 | ||
| David Tang, Non-Executive Chairman | |||
| Email: | |||
| Website: www.ecrminerals.com | |||
| WH Ireland Ltd | Tel: +44 (0) 207 220 1666 | ||
| Nominated Adviser
Katy Mitchell / Andrew de Andrade |
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| SI Capital Ltd | Tel: +44 (0) 1483 413500 | ||
| Broker | |||
| Nick Emerson | |||
| Novum Securities Limited | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7399 9425 | ||
| Broker
Jon Belliss |
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| Blytheweigh | Tel: +44 (0) 207 138 3204 | ||
| Public Relations | |||
| Tim Blythe
|
ABOUT ECR MINERALS PLC
ECR Minerals is a mineral exploration and development company. ECR’s wholly owned Australian subsidiary Mercator Gold Australia Pty Ltd (“MGA”) has 100% ownership of the Bailieston and Creswick gold projects in central Victoria, Australia, has eight licence applications outstanding including two licence applications lodged in eastern Victoria. (Tambo gold project). MGA is currently drilling at both the Bailieston (EL5433) and Creswick (EL6148) projects and has an experienced exploration team with significant local knowledge in the Victoria Goldfields and wider region.
https://mercatorgold.com.au/
ECR also owns 100% of an Australian subsidiary LUX Exploration Pty Ltd (“LUX”) which has three licence applications covering 900 km2 covering a relatively unexplored area in Queensland, Australia.
https://luxexploration.com/
Following the sale of the Avoca, Moormbool and Timor gold projects in Victoria, Australia to Fosterville South Exploration Ltd (TSX-V: FSX) and the subsequent spin-out of the Avoca and Timor projects to Leviathan Gold Ltd (TSX-V: LVX), Mercator Gold Australia Pty Limited has the right to receive up to A$2 million in payments subject to future resource estimation or production from projects sold to Fosterville South Exploration Limited.
ECR holds a 25% interest in the Danglay gold project; an advanced exploration project located in a prolific gold and copper mining district in the north of the Philippines, which has a 43-101 compliant resource. ECR also holds a royalty on the SLM gold project in La Rioja Province, Argentina and can potentially receive up to US$2.7 million in aggregate across all licences