Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX:WGX) has boosted the mineral resource of its Starlight mine in Western Australia by 41 percent following a dedicated campaign of resource definition.
The total mineral resource at the mine – which is part of Westgold’s Bryah operation north of Meekatharra – now sits at 590,000 ounces of gold, post-depletion, in addition to a 21 percent rise in measured and indicated mineral resource which is now open to ore reserve studies.
The Starlight site is busy with exploration and development work, including three drill rigs in operation, and the company is continuing with mine planning works – with ore reserve increases set to be reported in Westgold’s annual mineral resource and ore reserve statement.
Drilling has also identified a potential new mining front at the Waterbore Zone of Starlight, with high grade intercepts from drilling this quarter including 6.46 metres at 17.2 grams per tonne of gold from 136.5m, 2.2 metres at 27.35 grams per tonne from 72.4 metres, and 4.18 metres at 8.28 grams per tonne from 278.9 metres.
Westgold Managing Director and CEO Wayne Bramwell said the exploration team’s work at the mine had facilitated the resource increase and strong discovery.
“Organic growth opportunities within Westgold’s high value portfolio continue to be unlocked by drilling,” he said.
“The growth in Starlight and emergence of the Waterbore zone we see today is a function of good science and the investment Westgold made in drilling this mine over the last eighteen months.
“The same strategy is being deployed across our main operating assets such as Bluebird-South Junction, Big Bell and Great Fingall, extending these orebodies and mine lives.”
Westgold has been trading at $2.41.