The Conversation (0)
Blackheath Resources (TSXV:BHR) reported results from its first ever drill program at the Santa Helena Breccia at the historic Borralha Tungsten Project. Highlights included a 118 meter intersection assaying 0.29 percent WO3.
As quoted in the press release, highlights of the program included:
- 118 metre intersection in BO 8A assaying 0.29% WO3 (57m to 175m) and including 91 metre intersection assaying 0.31% WO3 (84m to 175m)
- One of the best tungsten drill results ever reported from surface
- 5 of the 6 drill holes ended within the boundaries of the breccia
- A higher grade zone located in the centre of the breccia is open to the north and south and at depth to the east
- Early indications show that the mineralized breccia may be at least 575 metres in length, over 150 metres in width and open to depth of over 200m from surface
Hole BO 8A, located directly in the middle of the Santa Helena body, returned a long intercept, of breccia starting at 2 metres, of which 118 metres from 57 m to 175 m averaged 0.29% WO3. Tungsten price is currently US$260/MTU (10kg) WO3.
Blackheath CEO, James Robertson, said:
We are extremely pleased with the drill results at Borralha. In one relatively small drill program we have intersected one the best tungsten drill intercepts ever reported and greatly increased our initial volumetric estimate of the Santa Helena Breccia. The latest results provide confirmation of the project’s potential to host a significant tungsten deposit. We are particularly excited by the size and scope of Borralha and we very much look forward to proving the merits of the project with continued drilling and detailed engineering work.
The press release provided additional information about the program and the Santa Helena Breccia:
The Santa Helena Breccia is exposed at surface and detailed historical underground mapping and detailed surface geological mapping indicates that the mineralized breccia may be at least 575 metres in length, over 150 metres in width and open to a depth of over 200 meters. There are numerous surface workings, 3 shallow open pits, and a series of underground mining tunnels, mine shafts and adits located within the breccia body. Earlier in the exploration program, trenching at the south end of the breccia exposed additional mineralization.
Tungsten mineralization in the form of wolframite is disseminated throughout the breccia and includes a higher grade mineralized trend in the center. This higher grade trend is open for expansion. No drill holes reached the eastern margin of the breccia. In addition, the breccia appears to be continuing at depth; however further drilling will be required to fully understand the true dimensions of the St. Helena Breccia and its mineralized zones. Due to the size and scope of the Santa Helena Breccia, further drilling will be required before preparation of a resource estimate. The next drilling campaign is currently being planned and is expected to start mid-2015.
Blackheath also drilled two initial holes BO 3 and BO 4 which did not intersect the Santa Helena Breccia, due to the dip of the contact of the breccia body with adjacent granitic host rocks and the inclination of the drill hole. Nonetheless, these two drill holes also intersected intermittent tungsten mineralization, which further increases management’s belief in the Borralha Tungsten Project and the potential for further tungsten mineralization throughout the 127 km² mining concession. Hole BO 3 had intermittent anomalous WO3 between 15 and 61 metres and Hole BO 4 intersected 19 metres of 0.06% WO3 from 3 to 22 metres. Both holes were drilled at an inclination of 60°.
The Santa Helena Breccia zone at Borralha has been partially mined by small, shallow open pits in areas of more extensive tungsten-bearing quartz veins. Other tungsten veins have been scavenged over the years, often by “apanhistas” or illegal miners, and all mining ceased in 1985 as a result of world-wide low tungsten prices.
Click here to read the Blackheath Resources (TSXV:BHR) press release
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