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Alta Zinc outlines new drill targets at Gorno Zinc Project following positive geophysical survey results

Published: 11:04 11 May 2021 AEST

Alta Zinc Ltd -
The 750 metres by 250 metres anomaly will be drill tested by a series of shallow drill holes from surface.

Alta Zinc Ltd (ASX:AZI) (FRA:8EE) has outlined a large chargeability response over an area of 750 metres by 250 metres, which extends the exploration footprint of the Gorno Zinc Project in northern Italy.

Positive results were received from a geophysical survey over an untested area between the historic mining areas at Ponente (west), Pian Bracca (south) and Malanotte (north).

“Near-term opportunity”

Managing director Geraint Harris said: “We are highly encouraged with the result of our geophysical survey into an untested area of the broader Gorno Deposit.

“This target offers a near-term opportunity to significantly extend the zinc-lead mineralisation into new areas.

“It also demonstrates the benefit of applying modern exploration techniques on our ground and importantly how prospective and potentially extensive the Gorno mineralisation is.”

Plan view of the chargeability anomaly. 

Low-iron sphalerite that hosts Gorno’s zinc mineralisation is frequently difficult to detect using electrical techniques.

However, follow up drilling at Pian Bracca of a similar geophysical anomaly successfully converted into widespread and significant intercepts of high-grade zinc and lead mineralisation, confirming IP as a successful exploration tool.

The recent survey east of Ponente used a similar method - a Pole-Dipole configuration on seven survey lines spaced 50 metres apart with measurements collected every 10 metres along the lines.

The survey has allowed the Alta Zinc to:

  • Model potentially mineralised horizon(s) and define drill targets;
  • Construct lithological and structural settings;
  • Further evaluate the electrical properties of mineralised and host rock units; and
  • Develop the methodology for further geophysical exploration of other prospective target areas.

Mineral resource update expected 

Based on this success, Alta is confident that the method can be further utilised at several other sites across the company’s exploration licence to quickly and efficiently explore for potential mineralisation which may offer further rapid resource growth.

Geological mapping in the area north of the Pian Bracca corridor indicates a repetition of generally NS aligned mineralisation at a frequency of between 250 and 300 metres eastwest with the core of the mineralised zone often fault controlled, and mineralisation grading outwards from zinc oxide to zinc sulphide.

Ponente West, Ponente Central and Malanotte all exhibit the same features.

Malanotte was historically mined mostly for zinc oxide material, leaving the surrounding zinc sulphide material largely untouched.

The chargeability response aligns as a possible southerly extension of Malanotte, similar to Ponente Central.

This area will be drill tested in Phase II of the Gorno exploration campaign, post publication of the mineral resource estimate update expected from mid-year.

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