New Tin and Gold prospects for Thomson
Sydney, Sep 16, 2016 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Thomson Resources Ltd (
ASX:TMZ) is pleased to announce that its exploration licence application (ELA 5350) over a significant tin and gold exploration project near Ardlethan in central NSW has been accepted by the Department of Industry (Resources and Energy).
- EL application over a new tin and gold project in NSW
- Southern extension of the Ardlethan Tin Field
- Covers same contact that hosts Thomson's high grade Bygoo tin prospect
- Gold potential further south at historic Harry Smith mine
- Drill intercepts include 25m at 2.2 g/t Au from 16m depth and 18m at 2.4 g/t Au from 73m depth; yet to be followed up
The ELA covers the southern end of the Ardlethan Granite that is the source of tin mineralisation in the area and includes the significant historic mine at Frews.
The area also extends further south to cover several promising gold occurrences including the historic mines at Harry Smith and Mallee Hen (Figure 1, see link below).
Frews Tin
The Frews tin historic workings occur on the eastern edge of the Ardlethan Granite, near its southern termination. Tin mineralisation is described as occurring in pipes and "bunches" close to the granite contact, with several shallow pits mined along a 500m strike length. The only modern exploration was conducted by Shell Minerals from 1977 to 1983. Shell carried out rotary air blast (RAB) drilling, considered largely ineffective in areas of shallow cover such as at Frews. However, several strong tin anomalies were discovered over metasedimentary rocks to the east of the contact, with up to 0.4% tin intersected in an anomaly 1km in strike length. Three deeper holes were drilled in the area east of the contact, but were directed at geophysical targets rather than the geochemically anomalous area. The bedrock potential of the Frews area is considered untested.
Harry Smith Gold
At least two distinct gold bearing quartz reefs occur in this area, 14km north of Grong Grong. The reefs were worked under different names (e.g. Osbornes, Golden Spray, Silver Spray and Lone Hand) in three periods (1893-1902, 1911-1917 and 1937-1942). Total recorded production was over 3,500 ounces of gold. Modern exploration was carried out by Shell Minerals including drilling of 9 percussion holes in 1981. Most of these holes were inconclusive, with the best intercept (PNG5, 46m at 1.3 g/t Au) drilled a short distance northwest of the Harry Smith line of lode.
The next important phase of exploration was carried out by Bolnisi Gold, who drilled 15 RC holes in 1995, recording numerous mineralised intercepts (see Table 1 in link below). In particular the strong gold intercepts of GG95-2 and GG95-13 confirm the potential of the area at the northwest end of the Harry Smith Workings - open at depth and along strike. Compilation of all drilling and modelling of geology and geochemistry will be carried out to select targets for drilling.
Mallee Hen Gold
The ELA has several other gold occurrences worthy of exploration. In particular, the historic Mallee Hen mine is of prime interest. It lies 18km south of Ardlethan and was worked up until 1917. Described as "exceptionally rich" in contemporary reports, the quartz vein was worked on four levels to a depth of 52m and recorded production was over 5,000 ounces of gold. No modern exploration was found in a search of Government records.
Information for this and other gold occurrences will be compiled and prioritised for follow up.
To view tables and figures, please visit:
http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/DQ8G0Y3J
About Thomson Resources Ltd
Thomson Resources Ltd (ASX:TMZ) is an NSW active mineral explorer. Thomson has several tin projects (including an advanced project near Ardlethan), as well as gold, copper and zinc targets in a range of settings. Thomson has a good record of discovery, with multiple new Intrusion-Related Gold (gold with copper, lead, zinc, molybdenum, tungsten) systems discovered in the Thomson Fold Belt in the NW of the state.
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