WATCH the latest Exploration Update in which Managing Director Mike Schwarz shares how he identified a series of mislocated drill holes that led previous explorers to misinterpret the gold mineralisation between holes and across sections. By correcting these errors, iTech has not only redefined the geological model—but also unlocked a much larger exploration footprint. (5min)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Identification of mislocated drill holes in the historical drilling database led to a full reinterpretation of the geological model
- The new model at Sabre Gold Prospect expands strike of mineralisation from ~500m to over 800m
- Stacked fold hinge model suggests significant new targets, including:
- down plunge of fold axis
- along strike of fold limbs
- repeated stacked hinge zones to the north-east and south-west
- Petrological reports identified microcrystalline gold and potential for under reporting of assays.
- Study underway on existing drill core to establish representative assaying techniques
- Geophysical crews have commenced surveys at Reynolds Range with dipole-dipole IP planned for Sabre in the coming weeks
- Significant historical drill results include
- 19m @ 3.5g/t Au from 13m (SBRC100002)
- 24m @ 2.6g/t Au from 36m (RD2)
- 19m @ 3.4g/t Au from 28m (RRB2043)
- 17m @ 1.9 g/t Au from 1m (RRB 2048)
A review of historical drilling at the Sabre Gold Prospect identified a series of mislocated drill holes, causing previous explorers to interpret gold mineralisation between holes and sections incorrectly. Rectifying these mistakes has revealed a new model for gold exploration, and more importantly, opened up a much larger exploration space as well as predicting significant new drill targets down plunge and along strike.
For iTech shareholders, this all means there will be plenty of news flow to look forward to across our gold and copper prospects at a time of historically high prices.
DETAILS
iTech has undertaken a detailed review of gold mineralisation at the Sabre Gold Prospect in preparation for its upcoming program of geophysical surveys, targeting high priority gold prospects along the >42km Stafford Gold Trend.
3D modelling of historical drill holes at Sabre, identified a series of holes, drilled during one drill campaign, that appeared to be offset from the main zone of gold mineralisation. The original data files and locations of these holes were obtained from historical annual reports and compared with holes on file, revealing an offset of up to 15-20m. It appears that during the compilation of historical drilling by previous explorers, the incorrect datum was used to reproject some drill holes. Previous explorers commented that the gold mineralisation at Sabre showed poor repeatability between drill holes and between sections, with some mineralised drill holes adjacent to unmineralised drill holes. iTech believes that this has been, at least in part, due to some holes being plotted in the incorrect positions.
Correction of this error has brought much of the mineralisation into alignment, allowing for a complete reinterpretation of the geological model for gold mineralisation. It now appears that mineralisation is controlled by a series of stacked fold hinges, trending in a NW-SE, direction. While there is still some discrepancy between drill holes, the overall fit between holes and sections is much more consistent.
The new geological interpretation allows for expanded gold prospectivity at Sabre with new drill targets
- down plunge of fold axis
- along strike of fold limbs
- repeated stacked hinge zones to the north-east and south-west
Figure 1. Reynolds Range gold and copper-gold prospects.
Figure 2. Plan view of the Sabre Gold Prospect, showing mineralised stacked fold hinges in a NW-SE orientation.
WATCH: With gold prices reaching record highs and drilling commencing at our Scimitar Copper Gold Prospect, we have recently received a number of questions from shareholders specifically asking about our gold exploration strategy and if this marks a new direction for the company. In this latest ‘Ask iTech’, MD Mike Schwarz explains how our gold exploration program fits into the broader Copper, Gold, Antimony, and Lithium exploration efforts at the Reynolds Range Project. (3 min)
RECENT NEWS FROM THE REYNOLDS RANGE PROJECT
EXPANDED GOLD PROSPECTIVITY AT THE SABRE PROSPECT
Reynolds Range Lithium Project – Farm-in with SQM completed
Drilling Commenced At Scimitar Copper Gold Prospect
