Greatland Gold has announced one of the best drill results ever at its West Dome Underground mine. The project is part of Telfer’s operations in Western Australia’s Paterson Province.
Step out drilling drilled mineralisation 1.2km south of the existing resource. The intercept was taken at the Pinnacles prospect. Managing director Shaun Day said the outcome was one of the best.
The company believes that the result confirms its geologic model. Continued efforts in exploration are directed towards growth and continuity.
Core samples from the West Dome Underground drilling program. [Courtesy: Greatland Gold]
Pinnacles Prospect Produces High-Grade Intersection
The biggest point was the performance of the Pinnacles prospect. WRC14503A is a 1858m diamond drill hole designed to have structural extensions at depth. It produced 58.7m at 6.5g/t gold and 0.1 per cent copper.
The wide mineralised interval is a grade and thickness that is a significant combination. Shaun Day highlighted the strength of the intercept. He confirmed that it is one of the best in the West Dome drilling.
These shots are fired from one hole, but it shows definite promise. The mineralisation is still open and needs to be followed up on. Location map of Pinnacles prospect and existing infrastructure.
Location map showing the Pinnacles prospect relative to existing infrastructure. [Courtesy: Greatland Gold]
Step-Out Drilling Expands Resource Envelope
The aim of the drill program was to determine if mineralised structures extended further south. Extension beyond the known boundary was suggested by geological interpretation. Now, results show that the structure is far beyond the extent of the present envelope.
Mineralisation is bidirectional. This means that there is still room for further gains. Step-out drilling is carried out to probe outside of the defined resources. The results from Pinnacles are encouraging, demonstrating the success of the strategy.
The company is going to drill more holes to check for continuity. They will help to identify the range of the system. Ongoing drilling will improve geological knowledge and modelling of the resources.
Infrastructure Proximity Enhances Economic Outlook
The new mineralised zone is around 1.5km away from the current underground infrastructure. This includes Telfer’s crusher and hoist systems. Development can be simplified by being close to infrastructure.
It can also help reduce the capital needed for future growth. Good access to known facilities aids in operations planning. The area enhances the economic viability of any new mining situation.
Production pathways could be streamlined with integration with current systems. Greatland is still assessing potential development alternatives. Infrastructure advantage is still seen as an important factor when assessing projects.
Underground infrastructure at Telfer is positioned near the West Dome extension zone. [Courtesy: Greatland Gold]
Exploration Team Drives Strategic Success
The company recognised its exploration team with the discovery of the potential for extensions in Pinnacles. The target was at a considerable distance from the focus area. Geological modelling used for careful drill design.
The team has been able to successfully execute a deep surface to target hole. Shaun Day recognised their technical development and strategic planning. The program is a well-structured exploration approach. It involves structural interpretation and systematic testing.
The outcome shows the benefit of in-depth geological studies. Additional drilling is planned to further validate extended interpretations and refine resource boundaries in the project area.
Telfer Acquisition Accelerates Growth Strategy
At the end of 2024, Newmont sold its Telfer business to Greatland. The number of wells drilled underground has risen since the acquisition. The company has focused on the expansion of resources and continuity testing.
In March, Greatland announced a maiden West Dome Underground mineral resource estimate. It had eight million tonnes at 2.3g/t gold and 0.44 per cent copper. That’s 600,000 ounces of gold and 35,000 tonnes of copper.
The new drilling activity indicates there may be more growth beyond that estimate. The company is still working on the systematic resource definition.
Follow-Up Drilling To Define Continuity
Greatland will be developing wedge holes and further development for additional drilling between Pinnacles and the existing resource. The programs are designed to establish geological continuity. They will contribute to the complete delineation of the mineralised area in the south.
Economic benefits can be achieved by enclosing continuous ore zones. The company continues to be driven to build West Dome’s size. All of this will be followed up with additional results for future development decisions.
The Telfer programme continues to focus on exploration. Investors will closely watch for announcements. Regular drilling can be expected to yield more clarity on scale and structure.
Also Read: Antipa Minerals Expands Minyari Resource to 3.3 Million Ounces of Gold Equivalent
FAQs
Q1. What Did The West Dome Drill Hole Intersect?
A1: The hole intersected 58.7m at 6.5g/t gold and 0.1 per cent copper. This represents one of the strongest results to date.
Q2. Where Is The New Mineralisation Located?
A2: The Pinnacles prospect lies about 1.5km from existing underground infrastructure at Telfer in Western Australia. It extends mineralisation 1.2km south.
Q3. When Was Telfer Acquired By Greatland Gold?
A3: Greatland acquired Telfer operations from Newmont in late 2024. Underground drilling has accelerated since that time.
Q4. How Large Is The Maiden West Dome Resource?
A4: The maiden estimate totals eight million tonnes at 2.3g/t gold and 0.44 per cent copper. It contains 600,000 ounces of gold.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly released company information regarding Greatland Gold’s West Dome Underground project at Telfer. It does not constitute financial advice or investment recommendations. Numerical data has been reproduced exactly as reported. Readers should conduct independent research before making investment decisions. Mineral exploration outcomes remain subject to geological uncertainty, regulatory approvals, market conditions, and operational risks that may affect future results or project viability.
Sources
- https://www.australianmining.com.au/west-dome-delivers-strong-hit/
- https://www.greatland.com.au/investors/announcements/
- https://app.sharelinktechnologies.com/announcement-preview/asx/eb6061defcbe0fce68a426825aed4752
