West Coast Silver has revealed impressive silver assay results up to 490 g/t from recent sampling at its Elizabeth Hill project, suggesting expanded mineralisation beyond the historic mine. Follow-up exploration activities are underway to define new targets.
- Silver assays up to 490 g/t from rock chip and float samples
- Elevated copper (up to 0.42%) and gold (up to 0.19 g/t) also detected
- Potential new mineralised zones identified north and south of historic mine
- Trenching, mapping, and further sampling commenced on site
- Lithium joint venture terminated to focus on silver exploration
Significant Assay Results Highlight Exploration Upside
West Coast Silver Limited (ASX – WCE) has announced encouraging assay results from its recent reconnaissance rock chip and float sampling program at the Elizabeth Hill Silver Project in Western Australia. The standout result was a silver assay of 490 grams per tonne (g/t), accompanied by notable copper and gold values. These findings reinforce the prospectivity of the project, which hosts a historic high-grade silver mine.
The sampling campaign collected 115 rock chip samples, revealing clusters of silver-rich float samples extending 200 to 500 metres north and about 200 metres south of the historic mine workings. This suggests the presence of additional mineralised source areas potentially linked to the region’s north-south trending Munni Munni fault system.
Building on a Strong Historical Footprint
Elizabeth Hill is renowned for its exceptionally high-grade silver production, historically yielding 1.2 million ounces from just under 17,000 tonnes of ore at an average grade exceeding 2,000 g/t silver. Mining ceased in 2000 due to low silver prices, but the deposit remains open at depth and surrounded by a consolidated land package that offers further exploration upside.
West Coast Silver’s Executive Chairman Bruce Garlick expressed optimism about the results, highlighting the potential to expand the known mineralisation footprint. The company is now advancing a systematic exploration approach, including trenching, detailed mapping, and additional sampling to refine target areas.
Next Steps and Strategic Focus
Following the inaugural drilling campaign that delivered impressive intercepts such as 21 metres at 1,047 g/t silver, West Coast Silver is preparing for follow-on drilling programs. These may include air core, reverse circulation, and diamond drilling to test the newly identified targets.
In a strategic move, the company has terminated its lithium joint venture at the Pinderi Hills Project to concentrate resources and efforts on silver exploration and development at Elizabeth Hill. The project’s location within a tier 1 mining jurisdiction and proximity to processing infrastructure at the nearby Radio Hill site further enhance its appeal.
Overall, these developments mark a significant step forward in West Coast Silver’s quest to unlock the full potential of Elizabeth Hill, positioning the company well for future resource growth and value creation.
Bottom Line?
Elizabeth Hill’s expanding silver footprint signals promising exploration ahead for West Coast Silver.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming drilling campaigns confirm the continuity and true width of the new mineralised zones?
- What impact will the lithium JV termination have on West Coast Silver’s capital allocation and exploration focus?
- Could the Munni Munni fault system host additional high-grade silver deposits beyond current targets?