Santana Minerals has reported further high-grade gold intercepts from infill drilling at its Rise and Shine South deposit, enhancing the size and grade consistency of the high-grade core and revealing promising deeper mineralisation.
- New drill holes MDD529 and MDD530 deliver strong gold grades
- High-grade core (HG1 domain) extended and better defined
- Deeper stacked mineralisation zone identified beneath planned open pit
- Infill drilling aims to reduce spacing to 25m to support development
- Ongoing drilling with three holes remaining in current programme
High-Grade Core Strengthened by Infill Drilling
Santana Minerals (ASX:SMI) has bolstered confidence in the high-grade core of its Rise and Shine (RAS) South gold deposit with two new diamond drill holes delivering notable gold intercepts. Holes MDD529 and MDD530 returned multiple intervals of significant grade and thickness, including 20.7m at 4.8 g/t Au and 11.3m at 7.3 g/t Au respectively, pushing the boundaries of the HG1 domain that underpins the early mining sequence.
The infill programme targets a tighter drill spacing of 25 metres on section, aiming to improve geological continuity and support resource conversion. These results build on earlier infill holes announced in July, collectively enhancing the deposit’s grade tenor and spatial definition.
Emerging Deeper Mineralisation Adds New Dimension
Of particular interest is the 11.3m intercept at 7.3 g/t Au in MDD530, interpreted as a stacked deeper repetition of mineralisation beneath the current open pit design. This less-tested stratigraphy opens an additional exploration front that Santana describes as a "whole new dimension" to the ore system. CEO Damian Spring emphasised the potential for these deeper zones to complement the planned mining sequence, stating that the tighter drilling is making the high-grade core "better and more consistent."
Geological Insights and Sampling Integrity
The drilling has clarified the western extension of the HG1 domain, resolving previous ambiguities and confirming grade continuity with earlier holes. The presence of dilatational breccias hosting millimetre-scale visible gold has been a recurring feature, highlighting the structural controls on mineralisation. Santana’s sampling and assay protocols adhere strictly to JORC 2012 standards, with comprehensive QA/QC measures including multiple assay techniques and independent verification ensuring data reliability.
Ongoing Drilling and Development Preparations
With three holes still to be completed in the infill programme, Santana is actively advancing its understanding of the deposit geometry and grade distribution. These drilling efforts dovetail with broader pre-development work at the Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project, where regulatory approvals and financing preparations continue to progress. The company’s focus remains on refining the mine plan and advancing toward a development decision, leveraging the improved resource confidence from these latest results.
Bottom Line?
Santana’s latest drilling sharpens the high-grade core and hints at deeper mineralisation, setting the stage for resource upgrades and strategic mine planning.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the deeper stacked mineralisation translate into economic extensions of the open pit or underground potential?
- How will the tighter 25m drill spacing impact the upcoming resource model and classification categories?
- What metallurgical characteristics and mining considerations will these new zones introduce to the project?