West Coast Silver’s first two drill holes at Elizabeth Hill reveal exceptionally high-grade silver mineralisation starting from surface, confirming the project's near-term potential and setting the stage for expanded exploration.
- First two diamond drill holes intersect shallow, high-grade silver mineralisation
- Hole 25WCDD001 hits up to 6,951g/t silver over 2m from 27m depth
- Silver mineralisation begins at surface in both holes
- Laboratory assays pending to confirm preliminary pXRF results
- Regional exploration and further drilling underway to expand resource understanding
A Promising Start at Elizabeth Hill
West Coast Silver Limited (ASX – WCE) has kicked off its inaugural diamond drilling program at the Elizabeth Hill Silver Project in the Pilbara with striking results. The first two holes, 25WCDD001 and 25WCDD002, have intersected shallow, high-grade silver mineralisation starting right from surface, based on portable XRF (pXRF) readings. These early findings validate the company’s confidence in the near-surface potential of this historically significant silver deposit.
Exceptional Grades Highlighted
Hole 25WCDD001 delivered particularly eye-catching results, intersecting 5 metres at 313 grams per tonne (g/t) silver from 20 metres, followed by an even richer 5 metres at 2,822 g/t silver from 26 metres, including a 2-metre interval grading an extraordinary 6,951 g/t. Meanwhile, hole 25WCDD002 returned 12 metres at 153 g/t silver from surface, including 1 metre at 973 g/t. These grades are among the highest reported in recent Australian exploration and underscore the project's potential to host economically significant silver mineralisation.
Beyond Silver – Polymetallic Potential
In addition to silver, anomalous lead, zinc, and copper values have been detected, hinting at a polymetallic system that could enhance project economics. The mineralisation is structurally controlled along the Munni Munni Fault, with the drill core revealing a complex vein network and associated mineralised halo. Detailed geological logging and structural measurements are underway to better understand these controls and guide further drilling.
Next Steps and Market Implications
Half-core samples from the initial drill holes have been dispatched to ALS Global laboratories for comprehensive assays, with results expected within 6 to 8 weeks. These laboratory analyses will provide definitive confirmation of the pXRF readings and help quantify the grades and widths of mineralisation. Meanwhile, regional exploration activities, including soil sampling and trenching, continue to build a broader picture of the project’s potential. West Coast Silver’s strategic consolidation of a 180 square kilometre land package around Elizabeth Hill further positions the company to capitalize on this emerging silver district.
Executive Director Bruce Garlick expressed optimism, stating, “To intersect high-grade silver from surface in our first two holes is a tremendous result and validates our belief in the near-surface potential at Elizabeth Hill.” The company’s progress will be closely watched by investors seeking exposure to high-grade silver in a Tier 1 mining jurisdiction.
Bottom Line?
With assays pending and further drilling planned, West Coast Silver’s Elizabeth Hill project is poised for a pivotal exploration phase that could reshape its silver resource profile.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the pending laboratory assays compare to the preliminary pXRF results?
- What is the economic significance of the detected lead, zinc, and copper anomalies?
- Can the new structural trends identified lead to extensions of high-grade mineralisation?