Rio Tinto issues exploration update on Winu project
Published by Stephanie Roker,
Editor
Global Mining Review,
As previously announced, Rio Tinto has discovered copper-gold mineralisation at the Winu project in the Yeneena Basin of the Paterson Province in Western Australia. This release provides new data on 14 diamond drill holes and 28 reverse circulation (RC) drill holes completed since the last report.
Results continue to indicate relatively wide intersections of vein style copper mineralisation associated with gold and silver beneath relatively shallow cover. The mineralisation remains open at depth and to the east, north and south, with a currently defined strike length of approximately 2.1 km.
Drilling is ongoing with eight diamond rigs and three RC rigs drilling at Winu and further results will be reported in the first quarter of 2020. RC and diamond drilling is continuing, with RC drilling primarily focused on defining the extent and tenor of the supergene zone and diamond drilling continuing to test the extents of the deposit.
Rio Tinto continues to conduct cultural heritage surveys through strong engagement with the traditional owners. Preliminary technical studies have commenced on the project including environmental baseline studies, geotechnical and metallurgical test work. Construction of a gravel airstrip is near completion. In addition to the ongoing work at Winu, Rio Tinto is conducting exploration within the broader Paterson Province on its wholly owned licences and joint venture licences during 2019.
While results continue to be encouraging, the exploration project is still at an early stage and drilling to date does not allow sufficient understanding of the mineralised body to assess the potential size or quality of the mineralisation nor to enable estimation of a mineral resource. The assessment and interpretation of existing data is ongoing and is being used to help guide drilling for the remainder of 2019.
Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/exploration-development/01082019/rio-tinto-issues-exploration-update-on-winu-project/
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