Pantoro: high grade gold at Scotia

Pantoro (ASX: PNR) has provided an update on its initial underground development and diamond drill results from the southern end of the Scotia orebody in WA.

Grade control results have demonstrated both strike and width increases to the current ore reserve in the areas tested.

Initial extensional drilling has confirmed additional wide, high grade mineralisation below the current mine plan, highlighting the potential for significant resource growth and extended mine life.

Initial drill testing beneath the current Scotia South ore reserve has returned 9.2 m @ 6.49g/t gold from 197.45m and 5.1 m @ 5.98g/t gold from 187.6m, about 70m below the current ore reserve.

Pantoro managing director Paul Cmrlec says these initial results from Scotia continue to confirm the quality of the mineralised system.

“We are particularly pleased the first of the extensional holes beneath Scotia South has returned outstanding results considering that these areas have been highlighted as a key growth target for the Norseman operation,” he said.

“We look forward to sharing further drilling updates as we continue to unlock the full potential of this high-quality asset.”

Pantoro’s goal during the current year is to extend mineralisation in the southern zone to the same depth extent of the current northern zone drilling which is approximately 500m below surface.

Extension of the southern zone has potential to effectively double the ounces of gold per vertical metre in the mine, which would in turn allow significant production increases from the mine.

Extension of the Southern orebody is a key target in Pantoro’s growth plan which aims to increase production to more than 200,000oz in the medium term.