Ashburton starts drilling at Obi gold project

Australian-listed firm Ashburton Minerals Ltd reported Friday that its diamond drilling has commenced at the Obi Gold Project in Halmahera Island, Maluku.

The company is intending to initially drill 12 - 14 drill holes, comprising between 3,000 m and 4,000 m of diamond core drilling, dominantly NQ size, into the Ambon artisanal gold workings located in the northern part of the project area.

This initial programme will test a 200 m wide zone along approximately 700 m of strike of the most intensely worked area, the company said.

Gold mineralisation at Obi is of the ephitermal style with notable zinc, lead and copper credits, while silver appears relatively low. Of additional interest is the observation by the company?s site geologist of additional styles of mineralisation associated with shear zones, breccias and porphyrytic dykes as well as pervasive hematite alteration.

All the drill core of the current drilling programme will be orientated and structurally logged in order to provide maximum information on the geometry and disposition of the mineralisation at Obi. A simultaneous programme of geological mapping, soil and stream sediment sampling, and trenching over the next three months will further add to Ashburton?s understanding of the geology and style of mineralisation in the area.

The company looks forward to the next three months of active exploration of the Obi Gold project. (romel)