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(Sharecast News) - Resource exploration and development company Empire Metals announced the start of the reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign at the Central Menzies gold project on Thursday.
The AIM-traded firm said the programme was for 26 RC holes, for a total of 2,140 metres at the project targeting two prospects, both of which were along strike from the Yunndaga deposit - historically the largest gold mine in the Menzies field with more than 270,000 ounces produced.
It said a detailed review of the historical dataset identified several prospects within the project area.
Two of those, known as Teglio and Nugget Patch, were prioritised in the initial RC drilling campaign based on their elevated gold concentrations, and the potential to generate significant strike and lateral extension.
A total of 13 RC holes for 1,100 metres was designed at Teglio, testing a strike length of 520 metres.
At Nugget Patch, a further 13 RC holes for 1,040 metres were planned.
Further drilling targets were expected to be generated within the project area once the geochemical soil sampling results were received.
The company said the sampling targeted areas of the greatest prospectivity based on the location of historical workings, as well as areas of limited previous drilling.
"The commencement of our first drill campaign at Central Menzies represents another major milestone for the company, and one I am pleased to say we have reached in accordance with our development plans," managing director Shaun Bunn.
"This demonstrates that whilst we are operating in a major mining boom here in Western Australia, where drillers and rigs are booked out months in advance and geological support is difficult to secure, the company is well supported by its own staff and our external contractors.
"Despite slow assay turnaround from our recent soil sampling programme, we remain on schedule and budget to complete the RC drilling campaign and remain confident that the exploration programme envisaged under the current option agreement will meet its objectives."
At 1202 BST, shares in Empire Metals were down 3.56% at 1.76p.
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