Assays from drilling at the Mason Bay prospect which sits east of the Springdale graphite project in Western Australia have returned more high-grade results for International Graphite.
Up to 24 reverse circulation holes returned a host of standout results, with best intersections of 11 metres at 11.7% total graphitic carbon (TGC) from 57m including 1m at 23% from 63m; 9m at 5% TGC from 42m including 1m at 21.3% from 43m; 24m at 7.2% TGC from 72m; 23m at 8.7% TGC from 77m; and 12m at 12.6% TGC from 41m including 1m at 20.7% from 43m.
Other results were 9m at 10.3% TGC from 43m; 6m at 20.7% TGC from 14m including 4m at 25.9% from 15m; 11m at 18% TGC from 28m including 4m at 23.9% from 29m; 7m at 9.4% TGC from 12m; 18m at 6.6% TGC from 34m; and 25m at 11.4% TGC from 68m.
A total of 5056m has now been drilled at Mason Bay with an average hole depth of 84m.
More graphite
Managing director Andrew Worland said the company expected to find more graphite at the prospect.
“We expect future drilling will continue adding to the Springdale resource base including areas comparable in size to the existing mineral resource,” he said.
“Our continued exploration success at Springdale gives us confidence that sufficient resources will be available across our tenement package to host a long-life mine and support our integrated mine-to-market graphite operation in Western Australia.”
Fourth discovery
Mason Bay is the fourth discovery at Springdale and one of seven high priority exploration targets identified through geophysical surveys.
Mr Worland said flotation tests on sample composites from the prospect had produced high-grade graphite concentrate at “excellent recoveries” with a fines size highly amenable to micronising.
Drilling to date
Since June last year, 20,465m has been drilled at Springdale including 12 diamond and 261 reverse circulation infill and exploration holes.
Assays for the balance of International Graphite’s exploration drilling program are due next month, with a new resource estimate to be released soon after.
