Talisman Mining Ltd (ASX:TLM) has received high-grade copper results from diamond drilling at Blind Calf prospect within the Lachlan Copper-Gold Project with a best result of 0.6 metres at 5.81% from 165 metres within 1.75 metres at 2.52%.
The results have confirmed that the mineralised Blind Calf host structure continues some 80 – 100 metes below previous intersections and remains open at depth.
Initial hyperspectral analysis and litho-geochemical mapping have shown clear metal zonation within the Blind Calf system which will aid future drill targeting of high-grade areas.
Brecciated quartz and semi-massive chalcopyrite sulphide vein within the Blind Calf prospect
Selected samples were collected from three of four holes drilled with one hole unsampled as it was abandoned prior to reaching target depth due to hole deviation.
Results highlighted a complex deformed rock package of fine to medium-grained sediments, with brecciated quartz sulphide veining, boudinage quartz sulphide veining, sulphide stringer veins and disseminated sulphide throughout the host sedimentary rock package.
Drilling approval for Lucknow
The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment has confirmed approval for Talisman to carry out its first drilling program at the Lucknow project within the historic Lucknow Goldfields near Orange.
This will target interpreted high-grade gold lode offset position where historical production was in excess of 400,000 ounces at an average estimated mined grade of more than 100 g/t gold.
COVID-19
Talisman suspended all field operations in late March due to COVID-19 restrictions and continues to monitor recommendations and guidelines in relation to these restrictions.
Internal planning and engagement with sub-contractors are being undertaken with the objective of establishing suitable return to work procedures.
Diamond drilling at the Lucknow project is likely to be the initial focus when drilling resumes, with timing still to be determined.
Alteration mapping
Brisbane-based Global Ore Discovery has been engaged to undertake a detailed examination of the available geochemical data set for the Blind Calf and Dunbars deposits of the Lachlan project focusing on specific alteration mineralogy and chemistry associated with the copper mineralisation.
The aim of the work was to determine whether alteration and chemical vectors to high-grade mineralisation can be identified on a prospect scale and, if successful, to use these vectors to help target deeper zones of mineralisation below the current Blind Calf-Dunbars mineralised structure and other parallel mineralised structures to the east and west.
Three-dimensional chemical model
Outcomes of the initial hyperspectral study of the localised Blind Calf mineralisation have proven to be highly encouraging and have provided some clear vectoring tools for higher-grade mineralisation within the system.
Further spectral work will be undertaken in the short to medium term with the aim of building a three-dimensional alteration and chemical model.
The findings so far will also be applied with follow-up work to include wider prospect scale alteration mapping to highlight potential additional copper lodes.
Spectral alteration mapping will be reviewed in conjunction with regional DHEM anomalies identified from previous RC drilling.
Detailed review underway
RC drill testing of the Blind Calf Regional DHEM conductors is also planned.
A detailed review of all geophysical results is also underway, with drill core now available for physical property testing.
Core will be analysed for geophysical properties which will aid in future modelling of the available geophysical survey date.
The physical properties obtained from the drill core will help to design the most appropriate geophysical method or methods for exploring the deeper or down-plunge extent of the Blind Calf mineralisation as well as mineralised parallel structures to the east and west.