How Did a Technical Fix Boost Burtville East’s High-Grade Gold Resource?

Technical Correction Enhances Resource Confidence

Panther Metals Ltd (ASX, PNT) has announced a positive revision to its maiden high-grade gold resource at the Burtville East Gold Project in Western Australia. A minor modelling error related to wireframing and block sizing had previously caused an understatement of tonnes and ounces in the resource model. This issue has now been rectified, resulting in a modest but meaningful increase in the near-surface JORC Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) to 62.3kt at 4.24 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, equating to 8,600 ounces; up from the earlier 62kt at 4.24g/t for 8,400 ounces.

Updated Cut-Off Grades Reflect Mining Study Outcomes

Alongside the correction, Panther Metals updated the reporting cut-off grades to include both 0.5g/t and 1.5g/t Au thresholds. This adjustment ensures alignment with the outcomes of the company’s recent scoping study, which anticipates open-pit mining methods for the deposit. The resource classification now incorporates both Indicated and Inferred categories, reflecting varying degrees of geological confidence and data quality.

Geological Context and Drilling Insights

The Burtville East deposit lies within the Laverton Greenstone Belt, a prolific gold region. Gold mineralisation is hosted in structurally controlled quartz veins within basaltic rocks, with coarse-grained gold frequently observed. The resource model is based on extensive drilling campaigns conducted between 2017 and 2025, including reverse circulation and diamond drilling, totalling over 5,000 metres across 60 holes. The mineralisation is predominantly near surface, between 20 and 90 metres depth, and remains open at depth, suggesting potential for resource expansion with further drilling.

Sampling and Assay Standards Support Robust Estimate

Sampling and assay protocols adhere to industry best practices, with samples collected at one-metre intervals and analysed via fire assay methods at ALS Minerals Laboratories. Quality control measures, including field standards and laboratory checks, confirm the reliability of assay results. The company applied a conservative top-cut to high-grade assays to mitigate bias from bonanza-grade intercepts, ensuring a balanced resource estimate.

Outlook and Next Steps

While the updated resource estimate strengthens the project’s foundation, Panther Metals acknowledges that the resource remains partly Inferred and that further work is needed to confirm economic viability. Metallurgical test results are pending, and additional drilling at depth is planned to explore the open mineralisation below 90 metres. The company’s extensive landholding in the Laverton region, combined with historic high-grade stockpiles, positions Burtville East as a promising asset in its portfolio.