Phase 1 of drilling ends

K92 Mining Inc has completed phase 1 of its underground drill programme on the sparsely drill tested Judd vein system at Kainantu, Eastern Highlands, chief executive officer and director John Lewins says.
He said they were pleased with the first set of results as it had delivered high-grade, solid thicknesses and similar mineralisation to its producing Kora deposit.
In a statemen, Lewins said the four holes were part of the phase one drill programme targeting strike extensions of approximately 250 metres from the 1,235 level development drive in addition to up-dip and down-dip step-out drilling.
The Judd vein system is located near the mine infrastructure, 150-200m east from the producing Kora deposit and within the mining lease.
To date, four known veins had been recorded at Judd, with similar vein orientation and quartz-sulphide Au-Cu-Ag mineralisation as Kora.
Similarly, the veins were essentially quartz/sulphide with brecciated country rock fragments or massive sulphide (dominated by chalcopyrite), or combinations of both styles.
The veins remain open and only a fraction of the over 2,500m strike length has been drilled, with significant gaps remaining to be tested. A total of four diamond drill holes were reported at Judd from the phase one underground drill programme, with significant intersections recorded from multiple veins.
Lewins said the results were highlighted by JDD0006 recording 7.25m at 256.09 g/t Au, 113 g/t Ag and 0.42 per cent Cu (258.01 g/t AuEq, 5.30m true width) on the J1 (Judd 1) vein.
“JDD0006 is one of the highest grade drill holes recorded at the Kainantu gold mine by K92,” he said. “Additionally, JDD0003 recorded 4.52 m at 10.81 g/t Au, 53 g/t Ag and 7.35 per cent Cu (22.40 g/t AuEq, 2.81m true width) on the J1 vein.
These results demonstrate the high-grade potential of the Judd vein system beyond results from the historical drilling near surface to the south, which include BKDD0002 recording 3.0m at 278.2 g/t Au and 0.21 per cent Cu and 053BD02 recording 9.0m at 8.32 g/t Au and 1.11 per cent Cu.
“With only a fraction of Judd’s 2.5km known strike length sparsely drill tested, we are very excited about its exploration potential.
“Exploration activities are ramping up, with nine drill rigs currently operating at Kainantu, and increasing to 10 by year-end.
“By year-end, we expect to be drilling the Karempe, Kora, Kora South and Judd vein systems plus the Blue Lake porphyry concurrently. Preparations to increase the number of drill rigs in 2021 are underway,” Lewins said.