ASX-listed exploration company Sierra Nevada has unveiled a high-grade intercept of up to 1 270 g/t at its Blackhawk ephithermal project, in Nevada, US, and says it plans follow-up drilling in hole BHD006.
The company previously identified a large and high-grade intermediate sulphidation epithermal gold/silver/lead/zinc vein system, likely related to a porphyry system located immediately south. Partially coincident with the porphyry system, the Blackhawk epithermal project vein system covers about 5 km2 and is open under cover to the north and north-east, with 22.5 line-kilometres of veins identified to date.
Previously drilling beneath the Endowment mine at Blackhawk returned 12 m at 219 g/t gold from 250 m, including 5 m at 479 g/t gold from 256 m. This drill intercept is 150 m vertically below the deepest portion of the mine and includes the high-grade intersection of 0.5 m at 1 270 g/t gold from 56.5 m. Other intersections of 1 m at 823 g/t from 257 m and 1 m at 654 g/t from 258 m were reported.
“These results which returned up to 1 270 g/t silver from Blackhawk are very promising, coming from a vast and extensive vein network. We’ve identified 22.5 line-kilometres of veins at Blackhawk, but this known mineralisation has sat largely untouched since mining ceased in the area in the 1920s,” explained executive chairperson Peter Moore.
He said there was potential to deliver value from an existing project with further drilling and mineral resource definition.
“Our 20-hole drill programme is permitted and ready to drill, providing us with the opportunity to use modern exploration techniques to potential to return further high-grade results and shape this as a company-making discovery for Sierra Nevada,” said Moore.