Assay Variability Challenges Loom Despite Strong Historic Data Validation

Robust Validation of Historic High-Grade Gold

Haranga Resources Limited has delivered a significant technical milestone in its acquisition and development of the Lincoln Gold Project in California. The company’s recent due diligence sampling program, involving over 200 historic drill core and pulp samples, has confirmed the consistency and robustness of the high-grade gold mineralisation that underpins the project’s value.

The sampling focused on key mineralised zones within the Lincoln-Comet and Medean (Keystone) deposits, two of the project’s principal prospects. Using a 50 gram fire assay method, which offers improved precision over earlier 30 gram assays, Haranga demonstrated a strong correlation between the new assay results and the original historic data. This validation is critical as it supports the integrity of the existing drill database, a foundational element for future resource estimation and mine planning.

Addressing Coarse Gold Variability

High-grade gold deposits such as those in the Mother Lode region are known for coarse gold, which can cause variability in assay results. Haranga’s sampling program acknowledged this inherent challenge but found that averaged intervals remained consistent within acceptable ranges. Notably, some individual samples returned exceptional grades, including intervals exceeding 100 grams per tonne and even surpassing 300 grams per tonne, underscoring the deposit’s high-grade potential.

Managing Director Peter Batten highlighted the importance of these findings, stating that the results provide confidence in both the historic exploration and the sampling processes. The company plans to leverage this by employing HQ diamond drilling with metric tooling and half-core sampling in its upcoming Phase 1 drill program, aiming to further reduce assay variability and enhance resource confidence.

Pathway to JORC Compliance and Resource Estimation

The due diligence sampling is a key step in bringing the Lincoln-Comet drilling database up to current compliance standards, specifically for use in future Mineral Resource Estimates under the JORC Code. Haranga’s approach includes rigorous quality control measures, such as the use of Certified Reference Materials and blanks, and laboratory analysis at the accredited ALS facility in Reno, Nevada.

While the sampling results are encouraging, the company acknowledges that further work is required to validate the entire database comprehensively. This includes additional data interrogation, grade sensitivity analysis, and the results from the imminent Phase 1 drilling campaign, which is scheduled to commence once site preparations and underground access approvals are secured.

Advancing Toward Production

Haranga expects to complete the acquisition of the Lincoln Gold Project imminently, with site preparations already underway in Sutter Creek, California. The project benefits from substantial existing infrastructure and permits, positioning it well for a relatively swift transition from exploration to production.

The planned 2,000 to 2,500 metre HQ diamond drilling program will focus on confirming and expanding the high-grade zones, with an emphasis on improving the representativeness of samples and assay precision. This drilling will also support the conversion of resources to higher confidence categories, a critical step toward feasibility studies and eventual mine development.