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Novo Resources Corp. provided an update of exploration activities at its Comet Well. Trenching, bulk sampling and scout diamond drilling are currently underway.
Novo Resources Corp. (TSXV:NVO) provided an update of exploration activities at its Comet Well. Trenching, bulk sampling and scout diamond drilling are currently underway, and the first results from recently collected bulk samples are expected in approximately one month.
As quoted in the press release:
Trenching and Bulk Sampling
Over the past several weeks, Novo staff have collected several series of +5-tonne bulk samples from the basal few meters of a bouldery conglomerate unique to the Powerline showing. Boulder clasts in this lower unit are sometimes over 1 m across and are ubiquitously well rounded. Pyrite, both detrital and late, appears frequently, and metal detecting has readily identified numerous strikes within these rocks. Unlike at Purdy’s Reward, where most gold nuggets appear to occur near the base of the conglomerate sequence, detector strikes have been noted in multiple horizons above the basal contact at Powerline.
Sampling is being undertaken from the floor of trenches dug into this conglomerate. Soil and oxidized rocks are first removed to expose a face of less weathered or fresh conglomerate. Novo’s protocols dictate that each sample come from a 2 x 2 m subhorizontal panel at least 0.3 m thick. Screening is erected around each sample site to prevent fly rock from being lost and to keep contamination out. The 2 x 2 m footprint of each sample site is scored with a rock saw, then a chisel moil fitted to a rock breaker on an excavator is used to break out the sample. Rocks must be broken to less than 0.2 m so they can fit into the crusher on the test plant being used to treat samples. The fines from each sample are swept up and collected along with larger rock pieces.
At the Powerline showing, a new gold-bearing conglomerate horizon has been exposed approximately 20 m up section from the basal bouldery unit. The thickness of this horizon has yet to be determined, but several gold nuggets encased in rock matrix have been recovered as the weathered portion of this horizon has been stripped away in preparation for sampling. This new gold-bearing conglomerate rests on top of a thin, but distinct marker horizon of possible volcanic origin containing large lapilli, or rock fragments, in a dark ashy matrix. Novo geologists have been able to trace this marker unit along strike to the east from the Powerline showing and have also identified it in several scout diamond drill holes.
Over the next few months, Novo plans to open up multiple trench sites along approximately 2 km of strike at Comet Well and anticipates collecting up to 60 +5-tonne bulk samples. As discussed in its news release dated February 6, 2018, Novo has secured a test plant from SGS Minerals, Perth, capable of processing 5-15 tonne samples containing coarse, nuggety gold like that found at Karratha. Bulk samples are being sealed in crates and shipped to the test plant facility over the coming weeks. All work conducted at Comet Well and at the SGS plant is fully scrutinized by third party technicians. First results are expected the latter half of April.
Scout Diamond Drilling
Since mid-February, Novo has drilled 39 vertical scout diamond drill holes at Comet Well on an approximate 200 m grid. More tightly spaced holes are completed in areas where trenching will occur in order to better understand subsurface geology before bulk sampling commences. Novo is drilling core holes to assess subsurface geology including depth, thickness and orientation of the targeted conglomerate unit.
In the Company’s news release dated February 14, 2018, Novo discussed exceptionally thick intercepts of conglomerate near the Powerline showing at Comet Well. Holes collared in the Mt Roe basalt, the cap rock to the conglomerate sequence, have encountered 30 to 35 meter intercepts of conglomerate before entering the dolerite footwall at the base. Given the dip appears to be quite shallow, less than 10 degrees, these intervals are probably close to true thicknesses. Recently completed holes between the Powerline showing and Purdy’s Reward have all encountered conglomerates. Over the next few weeks, core holes will be logged in detail and a 3D model of the conglomerate package will be constructed.
Dr. Quinton Hennigh, chairman and president of Novo Resources Corp, commented:
Our sampling protocol is working well as we extract +5-tonne bulk samples from trenches at Comet Well. Samples are routinely coming out of the field and being queued up to run through the test plant at SGS Minerals in Perth. We eagerly look forward to receiving results in approximately one month’s time
Click here to read the full Novo Resources Corp. (TSXV:NVO) press release.
