A blend of infill, verification and step-out holes will also be drilled to update the existing gold resource and provide critical geotechnical data for mine design as part of an all-important bankable feasibility study. Core from Dateline’s own diamond rig is being used to sharpen its resource modelling and assess rock mechanics.
Meanwhile, a high-powered Schramm T-45WWS reverse circulation rig from drilling heavyweight Major Drilling is already on-site, delivering fast, big-volume metres. A second similar rig is now on its way to further help turbocharge the campaign.
Dateline Resources managing director Stephen Baghdadi said: “This is an exciting phase for Dateline as we ramp up a major drill program at Colosseum to accelerate our bankable feasibility study and bring us closer to production. We’re also eager to drill the newly identified gold and rare earth targets, which have the potential to add substantial value as we advance this project.”
The first batches of drill samples are already in the lab, with assays expected soon. Dateline is also gearing up for an induced polarisation survey to eke out near-surface sulphide-rich zones that might have been missed by the broader MT work – potentially identifying new gold or rare earth targets.
With drilling accelerating, new rigs rolling in and high-value targets in both gold and rare earths, news flow from the drilling program is likely to stay strong as the company sprints toward feasibility, development and production.
Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au