Rise and Shine Expansion Raises Questions on Mining Timeline and Resource Longevity

• Infill drilling at Rise and Shine Northern Honeypot yields multiple high-grade gold intercepts
• Visible coarse gold observed, confirming quality and consistency of mineralisation
• New drill holes increase thickness and grade tenor of the underground mining zone
• Project advancing towards approvals and financing with a focus on long-term resource growth
• Results pertain to areas planned for mining approximately a decade from now

Strong Drilling Results Expand High-Grade Core

Santana Minerals Limited has reported encouraging results from recent infill drilling at its Rise and Shine (RAS) Northern Honeypot zone in New Zealand. The latest four drill holes have delineated a robust, tabular high-grade core within the Rise & Shine Shear Zone, enhancing the underground mining prospects of this emerging gold system.

Notably, drill holes MDD481 and MDD482 have increased both the thickness and grade tenor of mineralisation beyond the previously reported intercept of 31.9 metres at 5.3 grams per tonne gold. These results suggest a richer and more substantial ore body than earlier understood, with intercepts such as 21.1m at 5.3 g/t Au and 13.5m at 8.6 g/t Au highlighting the deposit’s potential.

Visible Gold Confirms Deposit Quality

Adding to the excitement, visible coarse gold was observed in drill core from hole MDD480, including a 1-metre interval grading an impressive 35.13 g/t Au. This visible gold, ranging from 100 to 500 microns and occasionally up to 1 millimetre, is a hallmark of the deposit’s high-grade zones and provides tangible evidence of the mineralisation’s quality and consistency.

CEO Damian Spring commented on the significance of these findings, noting that visible gold is becoming a predictable feature of the high-grade core. He emphasised that while these results relate to areas expected to be mined a decade from now, they underscore the deposit’s long-term value and the company’s commitment to understanding its ultimate size and longevity.

Strategic Focus on Project Advancement

With the company having recently submitted a Fast-Track application for project approvals, the focus remains on positioning Rise and Shine for imminent development and production. The drilling success supports this strategy by reinforcing the resource base and providing confidence to financiers and stakeholders.

Meanwhile, ongoing exploration and metallurgical studies continue alongside environmental and geotechnical investigations, laying the groundwork for a sustainable mining operation. The company’s methodical approach, adhering to JORC 2012 standards, ensures that the data underpinning these results is robust and reliable.

Context Within Broader Mineral System

The Rise and Shine deposit is part of a broader mineralised shear zone hosting multiple deposits, including Come-in-Time and Shreks. The gold mineralisation occurs within a low-angle shear zone characterized by coarse free gold, distinguishing it from other regional deposits. The recent drilling results add to a growing body of evidence that this system has significant scale and grade potential.

While the current intercepts are promising, they represent just one piece of a complex geological puzzle. The company’s ongoing work aims to refine the understanding of mineralisation controls and extend the resource footprint further north and at depth.

Bottom Line?

Santana Minerals’ latest drilling success at Rise and Shine strengthens its underground gold story, but the real test lies ahead as the project moves toward development and financing.

Questions in the middle?

• How will the visible gold findings influence metallurgical processing plans and recovery rates?
• What are the timelines and key milestones for project approvals and financing following the Fast-Track application?
• Could further drilling reveal additional high-grade extensions that bring forward mining schedules?