Assay results from the diamond drilling completed at Blind Calf during the March quarter have now been returned from the laboratory.
Selective samples were collected from three of the four holes drilled, with one hole (BCDD002) unsampled as it was abandoned prior to reaching target depth due to significant hole deviation.
Initial observations from logging of the core highlighted a highly complex deformed rock package of fine to medium grained sediments, with brecciated quartz sulphide veining, boudinage quartz sulphide veining, sulphide stringer veins and disseminated sulphide throughout the host sedimentary rock package. These sulphide zones returned anomalous assay results with the better grades from the zones of brecciated semi-massive sulphide in BCDD003 which returned 0.6m @ 5.81% Cu from 165m within a broader zone of 1.75m @ 2.52% Cu from 165m down hole.
BCDD001 which intersected the Blind Calf structure some 80-100m below previous intersections, returned an intersection of 0.6m @ 1.9% Cu from 243m, along with a number of similar intersections throughout the hole which correlate with the observed zones of disseminated and stringer sulphides. This is significant as it confirms the mineralised system is persistent and remains open at depth.
Prior RC drilling by Talisman has shown the Blind Calf-Dunbars System to be a copper bearing sheared quartz lode, extending along strike for approximately 300m and to a depth of over 200m. Drilling has identified a zone of high-grade copper mineralisation (+5% Cu) within the main lode system.
Talisman has approval from the NSW DPIE for an RC drill program of approximately 650m to test downhole electromagnetic conductors identified across the Blind Calf region. As previously announced2, DHEM surveys conducted on previous RC drilling undertaken to test interpreted potential parallel lodes proximal to the Blind Calf-Dunbar copper lode system identified a series of new DHEM conductive anomalies. A total of five new DHEM conductive anomalies were identified from this survey at five separate potential lodes. All of these new target positions are untested and require additional drill testing.
Blind Calf - Alteration Mapping
Global Ore Discovery (
The study has shown that the copper mineralisation is associated with a distinct metal zonation pattern, with elevated Ni and Co identified up to 40m from the Cu mineralisation and elevated Sb, Bi, As and Ag identified proximal to the Cu mineralisation. This pattern of subtle metal zonation will prove highly valuable in directing future drilling toward higher grade portions of the mineralised structures.
Blind Calf - Next steps
The outcomes of the initial hyperspectral study of the localised Blind Calf mineralisation has proven to be highly encouraging and has provided some clear vectoring tools for higher grade mineralisation within the system. Further spectral work will be undertaken in the short to medium term with the aim of building a three dimensional alteration and chemical model. The findings so far will also be applied more regionally, with follow-up work to include wider prospect scale alteration mapping to highlight potential additional copper lodes. Specifically, spectral alteration mapping will be reviewed in conjunction with regional DHEM anomalies identified from previous RC drilling.
The temporary suspension of field activities due to COVID-19 restrictions has provided an opportunity to use these new finding to better define these drill targets, which will be scheduled for drill testing once field operations recommence. RC drill testing of the Blind Calf Regional DHEM Conductors is also planned.
A detailed review of all geophysical results is also underway, with drill core now available for physical property testing. Drill core will be analysed for geophysical properties which will aid in future modelling of the available geophysical survey date. The physical properties obtained from the drill core will help to design the most appropriate geophysical method or methods for exploring the deeper or down-plunge extent of the Blind Calf mineralisation as well as mineralised parallel structures to the east and west.
Talisman has approval from the NSW DPIE in place for diamond drill testing of the interpreted extensions to the high-grade
Response to COVID-19
Following the suspension of all field work in late March, Talisman has continued to monitor and review government recommendations and guidelines in relation to COVID-19 restrictions. The Company is working to develop suitable safe work practices to facilitate the recommencement of field activities, including working with specific sub-contractors to ensure that a safe work environment can be established and maintained for the range of field-based activities. The outcomes of this work to date indicate the resumption of drilling is more likely to first commence at the Lucknow high-grade gold project rather than the
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