Broken Hill Mines Reports 1,426g/t Silver Equivalent Intercept at Blackwoods
Broken Hill Mines is ramping up mining and processing at its high-grade Blackwoods Main Lode ore body, unveiling exceptional drilling results that hint at substantial resource growth beyond current estimates.
- Ramp-up of Blackwoods mining from development to stoping operations
- Outstanding drill intercepts up to 1,426g/t silver equivalent over 3m
- Significant resource extensions outside existing Mineral Resource Estimate
- Expanded 17,000m drilling program planned for 2026 at Rasp Mine
- First mining activities initiated at Pinnacles Mine to optimize processing capacity
Production Ramp-Up at Blackwoods
Broken Hill Mines Limited (ASX, BHM) has announced a significant operational milestone with the ramp-up of mining and processing activities at the Blackwoods ore body, part of the historic Main Lode at its Rasp Mine in Broken Hill. Following the completion of development works and receipt of all necessary approvals, the company is transitioning from development ore extraction to full stoping operations. This advancement is expected to enhance feed quality and throughput at the Rasp processing plant, which has a capacity of 750,000 tonnes per annum.
Exceptional Drilling Results Signal Resource Growth
Complementing the production ramp-up, BHM has reported outstanding assay results from recent resource extension drilling across the Blackwoods, Thompsons, and British ore bodies. Notably, a 3.0-meter intercept grading 1,426 grams per tonne silver equivalent (AgEq) was recorded, alongside a thick 37.2-meter intercept at 314g/t AgEq, both located outside the current Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE). These high-grade intercepts underscore the strong potential for material expansion of the Main Lode resource base.
Strategic Expansion and Future Drilling
Looking ahead, Broken Hill Mines is preparing to launch an ambitious 17,000-meter drilling campaign in 2026, targeting further extensions of the Main Lode ore body at Rasp. This program aims to delineate additional high-grade zones, particularly focusing on the Blackwoods southern uppers, northern deeps, British southern and deep extensions, and Thompsons remnant pillars. The company is also initiating first mining activities at the Pinnacles Mine, aligning with its strategy to fully utilize the processing plant’s capacity throughout the year.
Metallurgical Performance and Resource Update
Processing of Blackwoods ore is delivering excellent metallurgical recoveries, with lead and zinc recoveries exceeding 88% and silver recoveries expected above 75%. The inclusion of Blackwoods ore has notably increased the silver grade within the lead concentrate to between 1,000 and 1,200 grams per tonne, a substantial uplift compared to the previous feed from Western Min ore. An updated Mineral Resource Estimate for Rasp Mine, incorporating these new drilling results, is anticipated in the first half of 2026.
Context and Historical Significance
The Rasp Mine, situated at the heart of Broken Hill’s famed ‘Line of Lode’, has a mining history spanning over 140 years. The Main Lode ore body, discovered in 1885, remains a cornerstone of Broken Hill Mines’ operations. The company’s ongoing exploration and development efforts are breathing new life into this historic asset, leveraging modern drilling and processing techniques to unlock value from high-grade silver, lead, and zinc mineralisation.
Bottom Line?
As Broken Hill Mines advances its Blackwoods operations and expands drilling, the coming year promises to redefine the scale and value of its flagship Rasp Mine.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the pending gold assays impact the overall resource valuation?
- What are the expected timelines and milestones for the expanded 2026 drilling program?
- How might the complex geology affect the continuity and mining of newly identified extensions?
