Ariana Resources said final drilling from the 2023 programme at the Kizilcukur deposit in Turkey showed two high-grade veins that underline its potential as an ore feed to the existing Kiziltepe mine.
One intersection contained gold grading at 1.99 g/t and silver at 153 g/t over a width of 17 metres, with another returning 30 g/t gold over 1.9m.
A new drilling programme is planned for 2024 to test vein extensions and wider exploration in the Kizilcukur project area, Ariana added.
Managing director Kerim Sener said: ”We particularly note several very high-grade gold and silver intercepts at depth on the Zeki Vein which suggest that the mineralisation does have further depth potential.
“The most interesting result is the 17m intercept at almost 2g/t gold and 150g/t silver (circa 3.7g/t gold equivalent*) from 14m downhole depth on the Zafer Vein.
“This is a vein that was not particularly well drill-tested previously and represented part of the Inferred Resource.
“We are now planning a further drilling programme of up to 3,500m to continue to test the strike and depth extents of the Zafer and Ziya veins, in particular.
“With over 1,200m strike length of veins now tested with drilling at Kizilcukur, and with gold and silver mineralisation recorded to a maximum vertical depth from surface of over 100m, Kizilcukur is continuing to shape up very well as a potential source of satellite feedstock for the Kiziltepe Sector.
“Drill spacing has already been reduced to an average of 20m laterally and 25m vertically, which is sufficient for conversion of most of the resource to the Measured category.
“Looking ahead, Zenit are currently working on a plan to mine and truck ore from the Zeki Vein at Kizilcukur for processing at Kiziltepe within the next 18 months, based on the current measured part of the mineral resource.“
Kizilcukur is part of Zenit Madencilik, a consortium of Proccea Construction, Ozaltin Holding and Ariana, which has a 23.5% interest.
Source: proactive
