Golden Birch announces initial drilling programme plans

The Omu Prospect is located approximately 180 km southeast of Port Moresby, PNG, and is one of several key copper-gold (Cu-Au) targets at the Keveri Project. In late 2018 and early 2019, Golden Birch completed geological mapping, geochemical sampling and geophysical surveying at the Omu Prospect, and has developed a number of drill targets based on this completed exploration.

Drill hole targeting

Two drill targets have been defined at the Omu Prospect: the bigger target (the main target) and a significant NE target. The targets were confirmed by the recent induced polarisation (IP) survey. The IP anomalies are coincident elevated Cu-Au-Mo values in soil geochemistry, multiple low to high grade rock chip results (Cu and Au) and widespread alteration identified by detailed geological mapping.

The company anticipates the initial drill programme will consist of at least two drill holes, pDH1 and pDH2, with anticipated lengths of 250 and 550 m respectively.

Purchase of drilling rig

In late July 2020, Golden Birch purchased a used CS 1000 drill rig which has capability for the following core depths: PQWL to 305 m; HQWL to 460 m; and NQWL to 610 m.

Golden Birch believes this drill rig will provide greater flexibility for the upcoming drill programme. The company intends to assemble a drilling team made up of experienced local PNG and foreign nationals. The drill rig has been inspected and it shows no material mechanical issues. It is expected that this drill rig and associated equipment will be shipped from Tasmania to Port Moresby in September 2020 with anticipated arrival to the site in late October/early November 2020.

Access road

The company has engaged the services of NC Civil Works to construct an access track from the village of Doma to the Waki exploration camp. NC Civil Works has more than 30 years of experience in constructing timber roads in remote parts of PNG. The access track is approximately 32 km in length and will provide the company with low cost access to the exploration site. Landowners have provided unanimous support for the access track. During June and July, the company employed more than 30 casual workers, many from the nearby village of Doma to assist with cutting trees from sections of the Access Track. Mobilisation of the bulldozer is expected to occur in early September 2020 and the access track is estimated to take 30 – 50 days to complete.

Director resignations and appointments

As per the option agreement with Papuan Minerals Pty Ltd (PMPL), PMPL is able to nominate two representatives to the board of the company. The existing two representatives of PMPL, Andrew Morris and David Lindley, have decided to pursue other opportunities and so have tendered their resignation as nonexecutive directors of the company. The company thanks Morris and Lindley for their contribution. PMPL have nominated Stephen Lewin and Stephen Grey to replace them as representatives on the board.

Lewin is a partner in the commercial law firm Leahy Lewin Lowing Sullivan Lawyers, practicing in Port Moresby, PNG. Lewin acts as PNG counsel for a number of major international law firms in relation to infrastructure, corporate advising, mining, oil and gas and commercial property development in PNG. He regularly advises the PNG government and some of its state owned entities on commercial law matters generally.

Grey is the managing director of Wokman Teleoks Ltd, the largest labour hire supply company in PNG, supplying both national and expatriate labour to the resource sector. As the country manager, Grey has extensive PNG experience. Until 2014, he was the CEO at Applus Velosi for Australia, Indonesia, PNG and Oceania, supplying manpower and inspection services to the oil/gas and mining industries. Grey holds a bachelor of transport studies from Monash University and a diploma of business studies from RMIT University.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/exploration-development/02092020/golden-birch-announces-initial-drilling-programme-plans/