Imperial Deposit’s Exclusion from Mine Plan Challenged by New Drilling Results
Black Cat Syndicate’s recent drilling at Kal East reveals promising high-grade gold intercepts at Imperial, suggesting a possible open pit cut-back, while extensive grade control drilling begins at Fingals to accelerate production.
- 11-hole RC drilling completed at Imperial and Majestic deposits
- Significant high-grade gold intercepts at Imperial up to 25.3g/t Au
- Potential open pit cut-back at Imperial not previously in mine plan
- Grade control drilling underway at Fingals deposit with second rig mobilising
- Results to be incorporated into updated Kal East mine plan supporting ‘more gold, sooner’ strategy
Drilling Success at Imperial and Majestic
Black Cat Syndicate Limited has announced encouraging results from its recent reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the Kal East Gold Operation in Western Australia. The 11-hole, 1,698-metre drilling campaign targeted extensions to the Imperial and Majestic deposits, which together hold a combined resource of approximately 507,000 ounces of gold at an average grade of 2.0 grams per tonne.
Notably, the drilling returned several high-grade gold intercepts at Imperial, including 5 metres at 12.97g/t gold from 72 metres, and a standout 1 metre at 25.30g/t gold from 97 metres. These results are significant given that Imperial was not included in the current mine plan or the May 2024 Preliminary Feasibility Study update.
Implications for Mine Planning and Production
The drilling outcomes suggest a potential cut-back to the historic Imperial open pit, opening the door for its inclusion in future mining schedules. This development aligns with Black Cat’s strategic focus on delivering “more gold, sooner” by accelerating production timelines and optimising resource utilisation.
Alongside Imperial, the company has commenced an extensive grade control and mine development drilling program at the Fingals deposit, which currently contains a resource of 275,000 ounces at 2.2g/t gold. The program, involving approximately 20,000 metres of RC drilling, is being ramped up with the mobilisation of a second drill rig to site, underscoring Black Cat’s commitment to advancing operations at Kal East.
Strategic Positioning in the Kalgoorlie Gold Belt
Kal East is strategically located about 40 kilometres from Black Cat’s 1.2 million tonnes per annum Lakewood processing facility near Kalgoorlie, a well-established gold mining region. The proximity to processing infrastructure enhances the economic viability of expanding mining activities at Imperial and Fingals.
Managing Director Gareth Solly emphasised the importance of these drilling results, stating that the findings support ongoing efforts to update and optimise the mine plan. The integration of new data from Imperial and the accelerated drilling at Fingals are expected to contribute positively to the company’s production outlook.
Looking Ahead
Black Cat’s Kal East operation remains a core growth asset, with ongoing exploration and development activities planned through 2025. The company’s broader portfolio, including the Paulsens and Coyote gold operations, further positions it as a notable player in the Australian gold sector.
Investors and analysts will be watching closely as Black Cat incorporates these drilling results into updated resource and reserve estimates, and as mine plans evolve to potentially include the Imperial open pit once again.
Bottom Line?
Black Cat’s drilling breakthrough at Kal East could reshape its mine plan and accelerate gold output, but the full impact awaits updated resource models.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the potential Imperial open pit cut-back affect overall production forecasts and costs?
- What timeline does Black Cat envisage for incorporating these drilling results into the mine plan and commencing mining at Imperial?
- How might the expanded drilling program at Fingals influence the resource classification and reserve upgrades?
