Novo Resources adds 1.6 km to Beatons Creek strike length
Novo Resources Corp. [NVO–TSXV; NSRPF-OTCQX] announced that mapping and surface rock sampling indicate the possibility of considerable extensions of the Beatons Creek conglomerate gold system in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Highlights:
The main M1 and M2 conglomerate gold lodes at the Beatons Creek gold project have been traced at surface along the western side of the Grant’s Hill fault, adding some 1.6 km of surface strike length, and remain open to the west.
Spot rock chip sample results include results of 2.7 g/t gold, 3.5 g/t gold and 2.1 g/t gold from conglomerate material similar to that within the resource area east of the fault (these grades are not necessarily representative of mineralization at Beatons Creek). These samples are believed to be from the important M1 and M2 conglomerate gold lodes.
The M1 and M2 gold lodes were encountered in historical diamond drilling within the same fault block, some 3 km to the southeast suggesting this may represent a major extension of the conglomerate system. The system remains wide open down the axis of the Nullagine embayment.
These newly prospected areas have recently been consolidated under Novo’s control through of the acquisition of Creasy Group interests in the Nullagine Beatons Creek Extensions
Novo’s current mapping and sampling program is designed on the basis of an improved geological understanding of the mineralized sequence from its 2018 diamond drilling program and mineral resource update.
Diamond drilling across the resource area demonstrated strong continuity of the M1 and M2 gold lodes within the main mineralized sequence, which led to the renewed focus on surface extensions on the western side of the Grant’s Hill fault. Preliminary evidence of mineralization was already indicated here from rock sampling completed by previous operators and by Novo in 2013 and 2014.
Detailed mapping west of the Grant’s Hill fault has identified the same marker horizons and unit contacts as part of the established resource stratigraphy, including the two boulder lag positions known as the M1 and M2 conglomerate gold lodes. Anomalous rock samples with results akin to those within the current resource area are encouraging and confirm that these lodes are mineralized.
Further work including extensive bulk sampling and drilling is required for an adequate test of grade and to confirm these preliminary indications. The next step in the process of determining a Beatons Creek resource extension is to obtain heritage clearance, followed by trenching and costean sampling at surface as well as RC drilling to test the lodes in the subsurface.
Novo is advancing its flagship Beatons Creek gold project to production while exploring and developing its highly prospective land package covering approximately 14,000 km2 in the Pilbara region.