Hillgrove Uncovers High-Grade Copper-Gold at Emily Star, Boosting Kanmantoo Outlook
Hillgrove Resources has reported outstanding high-grade copper-gold mineralisation from the first underground drill hole at Emily Star, part of the Kanmantoo Copper Mine. These results suggest a promising expansion of mining potential and improved utilisation of existing infrastructure.
- First underground drill hole at Emily Star yields high-grade copper-gold intercepts
- Significant mineralised zones exceed previous resource estimates
- Drilling confirms mineralisation corridor between Emily Star and Nugent
- Potential to increase mining rates and reduce unit costs at Kanmantoo
- Ongoing drilling to refine targets and plan further development
Strong Start to Emily Star Drilling
Hillgrove Resources Limited (ASX, HGO) has unveiled compelling results from the initial underground diamond drill hole at the Emily Star zone within its Kanmantoo Copper Mine. The drilling program, launched from the newly developed 1010 Nugent Diamond Drill platform, has intersected multiple high-grade copper-gold mineralised zones, significantly surpassing the average grades of the existing Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for Emily Star.
The standout intercepts include 6.3 metres at 1.76% copper and 0.12 grams per tonne gold starting at 425 metres downhole, a broader 19.1 metres at 1.91% copper and 0.15 grams per tonne gold from 500 metres, and 5.7 metres at 2.12% copper and 0.36 grams per tonne gold from 531 metres. These results not only confirm the presence of three distinct Emily Star lenses but also provide clearer insights into their geometry and width, thanks to the advantageous drill angle from underground.
Implications for Kanmantoo’s Production Profile
According to Hillgrove’s CEO and Managing Director, Bob Fulker, the Emily Star discovery represents a critical organic growth opportunity following the acceleration of the Nugent project. The mineralisation corridor between Emily Star and Nugent, previously underexplored at depth, now appears poised to support multiple additional mining fronts. This expansion could materially increase mining rates at Kanmantoo, enabling better utilisation of the existing processing plant and driving down unit costs.
Fulker emphasised the strategic value of these results, stating that the high-grade intercepts provide confidence in expanding production and sustaining Kanmantoo’s operational momentum. The ongoing drilling program aims to further delineate the mineralisation, with plans to establish a dedicated drill platform from the Nugent decline to target Emily Star more precisely.
Broader Geological Context and Next Steps
The drill hole also intersected mineralisation zones associated with Critchley and Paringa, confirming extensions of these known deposits. The comprehensive sampling and assay protocols, overseen by qualified geologists and adhering to industry best practices, underpin the reliability of these results.
Hillgrove’s methodical approach includes detailed geological logging, high sample recovery rates, and rigorous quality assurance measures. The company plans to integrate these new data points into updated resource models and mine planning studies, which will inform future development decisions.
While these initial results are promising, the drilling program remains ongoing. Further exploration will be critical to fully understand the scale and economic potential of the Emily Star mineralisation and its integration with the broader Kanmantoo mining complex.
Bottom Line?
Emily Star’s promising drill results mark a pivotal step in Kanmantoo’s growth, but the path to expanded production hinges on continued exploration and resource validation.
Questions in the middle?
- How will ongoing drilling refine the size and grade of the Emily Star resource?
- What timeline does Hillgrove envision for integrating Emily Star into active mining operations?
- How might these results impact Kanmantoo’s overall production costs and output forecasts?
