RE: Drilling update9 Apr 2025 10:49
To drill deeper and test the down-dip potential of a gold deposit like Landore Resources' BAM Gold Project, several key steps and techniques are employed. The process involves geological understanding, strategic planning, and the use of specialized drilling methods to extend exploration beyond the currently defined mineralization. Here's how it’s typically done:
1. **Geological Modeling and Target Identification**
Before drilling deeper, geologists analyze existing data—such as previous drill results, geophysical surveys (e.g., induced polarity anomalies), and surface mapping—to build a 3D model of the deposit. For the BAM project, the gold mineralization is hosted within sheared and altered rocks of the Grassy Pond Sill and BAM Sequence, striking east-west and dipping steeply to the south (around 65°-80°). Interpretive work suggests tabular zones of mineralization with a westward dip of about 30° in some areas. This model helps identify where the mineralization might extend down-dip (i.e., along the plunge or slope of the mineralized zone).
2. **Selecting Drill Hole Locations**
To test down-dip potential, drill holes are positioned to intersect the mineralized zone at greater depths. At BAM, the deposit is open down-dip, meaning the full extent of mineralization hasn’t been reached yet. Holes are typically planned to start from surface positions offset to the north (since the deposit dips south) or from areas along strike where shallower drilling has already confirmed mineralization. The goal is to angle the holes to cut through the projected continuation of the orebody at depth.
3. **Choosing the Right Drilling Technique**
Diamond core drilling is the preferred method for testing down-dip potential in deposits like BAM, as it provides intact rock samples for detailed analysis. At BAM, HQ-sized diamond core drilling has been used extensively (e.g., in the 2020-2021 campaign with 24,171 meters drilled). This technique allows for precise targeting and recovery of core samples that can reveal gold grades, host rock characteristics, and structural controls at depth. The drill rigs are set up to handle deeper holes, often exceeding 200-300 meters, depending on the target depth.
4. **Adjusting Drill Angles**
To reach down-dip extensions, drill holes are angled to follow the dip of the mineralized zone. For BAM, where the mineralization dips steeply south, holes are drilled at moderate angles (e.g., 45°-52° from horizontal) toward the south to intersect the zone efficiently. If targeting deeper, high-grade shoots (like those identified beneath the west and east pit shells), steeper angles or even vertical holes might be considered, depending on surface access and the interpreted plunge of the mineralization.
5. **Extending Existing Holes or Drilling New Ones**
In some cases, existing shallow holes can be deepened to test down-dip potential, saving time and cost. At BAM, several holes in the 2020