Sua Prospect Drilling Targets 1,820m to Confirm 3.7 g/t Au Inferred Resource
Far East Gold has launched a 10-hole diamond drilling campaign at its high-grade Sua gold prospect in Papua, Indonesia, aiming to confirm and expand a substantial inferred resource. Historical drilling revealed multiple impressive gold intercepts, with grades reaching up to 52.3 g/t Au.
- 10-hole, 1,820m diamond drilling program underway at Sua prospect
- Historical drilling showed multiple high-grade gold intercepts up to 52.3 g/t Au
- Inferred resource estimated at 2.5 million tonnes grading 3.7 g/t Au (296,000 oz)
- Drilling aims to confirm and extend mineralisation along a 5km shear zone
- Metallurgical tests indicate over 90% gold recovery using standard processing
Drilling Commences at a High-Grade Target
Far East Gold Limited (ASX – FEG) has initiated a focused diamond drilling program at the Sua gold prospect, one of the most promising and highest-grade targets within its Idenburg Contract of Work in Papua Province, Indonesia. The campaign comprises 10 diamond drill holes totaling 1,820 metres, running concurrently with ongoing drilling at the North Bermol prospect and upcoming work at Kwaplu.
The objective is clear – to validate and extend the high-grade gold mineralisation previously identified by historical drilling campaigns conducted by Avocet Mining in 2005-2006. These earlier programs delivered exceptional results, with multiple intercepts exceeding 10 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and a standout intercept of 2 metres grading 52.3 g/t Au.
Historical Data Underpins a Significant Inferred Resource
Independent consultants SMGC compiled the historical data and estimated an inferred mineral resource at Sua of approximately 2.5 million tonnes averaging 3.7 g/t Au, equating to nearly 296,000 ounces of gold. This resource remains classified as inferred, reflecting the need for further drilling to upgrade confidence levels and better define the deposit’s continuity and scale.
The mineralisation occurs within a 5-kilometre-long structural corridor known as the Sua-Afley Shear Zone, characterised by stacked quartz-pyrite veins hosted in altered metadiorite. Petrographic studies have confirmed the presence of free gold alongside sulphide minerals, supporting the interpretation of an orogenic gold system with strong potential for resource expansion.
Encouraging Metallurgical and Geological Characteristics
Preliminary metallurgical test work on surface and drill core samples indicates excellent gold recovery potential. Gravity recovery ranges between 50-60%, with overall recoveries exceeding 90% using conventional carbon-in-leach or resin-in-leach processing methods. This metallurgical amenability is a positive indicator for future economic extraction.
Drilling is designed to test both down-dip and lateral extensions of the mineralised zones, with closer drill spacing (25m to 50m) than historical programs (100m). This approach aims to confirm the geological model and the continuity of high-grade zones, which is critical for advancing the project towards resource definition and potential development.
Strategic Progress in a Competitive Region
Far East Gold’s CEO Shane Menere highlighted the significance of the drilling campaign – "The commencement of drilling at Sua marks another important milestone in unlocking the exceptional potential of our Idenburg project. The historical results from Sua are nothing short of outstanding, with multiple high-grade intercepts up to 52.5 g/t Au. We are confident this program can define a significant high-grade system." The simultaneous drilling at North Bermol and soon at Kwaplu underscores the company’s strategic push to advance multiple high-potential prospects in parallel.
While the inferred resource and historical data provide a strong foundation, the project’s advancement will depend on the upcoming drilling results, metallurgical confirmations, and the resolution of permitting and environmental considerations in the Papua region.
Bottom Line?
As drilling progresses, Far East Gold aims to transform inferred potential into a defined, high-grade resource that could reshape its project’s economic outlook.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the new drilling confirm and extend the high-grade zones to upgrade the resource classification?
- How will environmental permitting and forest land use approvals impact the project timeline?
- What are the implications of metallurgical recovery rates on future processing costs and project economics?
