Forrestania Resources’ latest drilling at British Hill delivers multiple high-grade gold intercepts, extending mineralisation both near surface and at depth. The results bolster the project’s potential as a key ore source within its regional development strategy.
- Eight-hole, 1,858m RC drill program completed
- High-grade gold intercepts up to 22.98 g/t
- Mineralisation extends up dip and at depth
- British Hill on granted mining lease with active ore trucking
- Mineral Resource Estimate update expected soon
Drilling Unveils Significant High-Grade Gold Zones
Forrestania Resources (ASX:FRS) has confirmed substantial extensions to gold mineralisation at its British Hill project following an 8-hole, 1,858-metre reverse circulation drilling campaign. The program returned multiple high-grade intercepts, including standout results such as 4 metres at 7.46 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 124 metres, with a 1-metre interval hitting 22.76 g/t, and another 1 metre at 22.98 g/t from 141 metres. Near surface, the drilling also intercepted 7 metres at 5.69 g/t from the surface, highlighting the deposit’s vertical and lateral continuity.
Strategic Location and Existing Infrastructure
British Hill is located 75 kilometres south-southeast of Southern Cross within Western Australia’s prolific Yilgarn Mineral Field. The deposit sits on a granted mining lease (M77/1256), a crucial advantage that allows Forrestania to truck ore directly to its Lake Johnston processing hub. This infrastructure linkage accelerates the pathway from exploration success to production, distinguishing British Hill from many greenfield projects.
Geological Setting Supports Resource Growth
The deposit is an orogenic gold system hosted in Archaean mafic and felsic rocks with quartz veining and shearing controlling mineralisation. Drilling intersected mineralised lodes with quartz stockworking and laminated quartz veins, consistent with typical Eastern Goldfields-style deposits. The program’s design targeted both depth extensions and strike continuity, with assays confirming mineralisation persists beyond previously defined limits. While true widths remain uncertain, the downhole intercepts provide a robust basis for resource expansion.
Resource Update and Future Drilling Plans
Forrestania anticipates releasing an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for British Hill in the coming weeks, incorporating these latest results. Chairman David Geraghty emphasised the company’s confidence in the deposit’s potential, noting that a Program of Work (POW) for further drilling is pending approval. Once granted, drilling will recommence immediately to further delineate and upgrade resource categories. This aligns with Forrestania’s broader strategy to grow its resource base and feed its regional processing hubs, complementing recent moves such as the acquisition of the Edna May Gold Hub and ongoing takeover of Zenith Minerals.
Technical Rigor and Reporting Standards
The drilling and sampling followed industry best practices, with assays conducted by Nagrom Laboratory in Perth using 50-gram fire assay techniques. Quality control protocols included blanks, standards, and duplicates, ensuring data integrity. Drill holes were surveyed with DGPS and gyro tools, and geological logging was comprehensive. Forrestania’s Chief Geologist, Manohar Ghorpade, who is a Competent Person under the JORC Code, verified the results. The company’s transparent reporting and adherence to JORC standards provide investors with confidence in the data’s reliability.
Bottom Line?
The latest drilling results at British Hill underscore Forrestania’s potential to expand its resource inventory and accelerate production, but the timing of further drilling hinges on regulatory approvals.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the upcoming Mineral Resource Estimate impact Forrestania’s valuation and project prioritisation?
- What is the timeline for the Program of Work approval and subsequent drilling campaigns?
- How will British Hill’s resource growth integrate with Forrestania’s dual hub strategy alongside Edna May and Lake Johnston?