Ora Banda Mining has revealed even more bonanza-grade gold at its Waihi deposit in its Davyhurst project in Western Australia’s Goldfields, intercepting up to 159 grams per tonne (g/t) of gold at depth.
Hard on the heels of recent high-grade discoveries reported from its 7.5-kilometre-long Round Dam Trend, the latest results at Waihi have uncovered ultra-high-grade intercepts and a new lode beneath the previously mined pits at the trend’s north.
The company says the first nine holes of a 15,300-metre, 45-hole drill program at Waihi are cementing its potential to become the third high-grade underground mine developed alongside its Riverina and Sand King operations.
Blockbuster intercepts include a peak 6m section grading 21.1g/t gold at its Waihi East deposit, a 13.5m hit running 6.1g/t gold and an 8m intercept for 8.7g/t from a new lode in the hanging wall of the historical Golden Pole underground mine. At the Waihi West lode, a scintillating 3.9m hit came in at 29.5g/t, pushing the lode to more than 350m below surface. A 7m intercept at 14.5g/t was another Waihi West standout.
Gold seemingly expands in all directions around the historic Waihi Main open pit.
With its prime location near the Davyhurst mill, Waihi enhances Round Dam’s status as a priority exploration target for future production in a gold market soaring past a record $5400 per ounce.
The results follow from July findings at Waihi, where drilling beneath historical pits uncovered a mineralised zone grading 8.7m at 9.3g/t. This is now confirmed as the down-plunge continuation of its Lady Georgina lode.
Ora Banda says that Waihi alone could drive a multi-year mine life extension for the Davyhurst project. The latest intercepts further solidify its role within the broader exploration portfolio, which includes the recent Little Gem discovery in the project’s north.
Ora Banda Mining managing director Luke Creagh said: “These results are nothing short of outstanding as we continue to expand the high-grade potential of the Waihi deposit, which is located only 3km from the Davyhurst processing plant. The high-grade and good widths combined with meaningful depth extensions continue to build the case for Waihi as a third underground mine on the Davyhurst project.”
Waihi’s geology within the Round Dam Trend echoes the high-grade structures at Ora Banda’s high-grade Riverina mine and Little Gem discovery in the northern trend. With the mill’s current capacity under review, a feasibility study is in the midst for a 3 million tonne per annum mill, which would accommodate increased ore flow from Round Dam to push past its current 150,000 ounce per annum profile.
The Waihi deposit’s blow-out-style ore bodies echo historical mining at the old Golden Pole underground mine, which produced 77,000 ounces at a staggering 29.0g/t down to a depth of 190m.
The latest drilling suggests an untapped potential significantly below that, with follow-up work planned to chase the new lode as well as the Lady Georgina’s lode below 350m.
Ora Banda says its weighty $73 million annual exploration budget is powering this high-stakes campaign, with two reverse circulation rigs and one diamond rig targeting Round Dam’s high-grade shoots and new targets.
Waihi’s 3km proximity to the Davyhurst mill is another viability factor shooting it up the prospect board.
The ultra-high-grade intercepts at Waihi dovetail with the Round Dam Trend’s growing promise. Together the recent discoveries point to a robust pipeline of resources and an obvious need for expansion at the cash-flush Davyhurst.
With only 20 per cent of Waihi’s drilling program complete, the deposit’s full scale is only scratching the surface, but its potential to extend Davyhurst’s mine life is undeniable.
As the drills turn and bonanza-grade gold comes in hand over fist, Waihi is elevating the Round Dam Trend’s status as a cornerstone of Ora Banda’s growth strategy. An emerging resource expansion thematic looks in store for this high-grade WA gold story, which is already converting on so much of its potential.
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By Andrew Todd
