Novo Resources Corp. (
Novo or the
Company) (ASX: NVO) (TSX: NVO) (OTCQX: NSRPF) is
pleased to provide an update on follow-up drill programs at the
Becher Project, which is part of the Egina earn-in
and joint venture (
Egina JV) with De Grey Mining
Limited (ASX:DEG).
________________________________________
1 For further details refer to De Grey’s ASX
announcement titled Hemi Gold Project Resource Update dated 21
November 2023, relating to De Grey’s Hemi. Withnell and Wingina
mining centres. No assurance can be given that a similar (or any)
commercially viable mineral deposit will be determined at Novo’s
Becher Project
De Grey completed its maiden aircore
(AC) and reverse circulation (RC)
drill program at the Becher Project in Q4 2023, testing the
Heckmair and Lowe intrusions, and the
Irvine and Bonatti shear corridors, with over
10,500 m completed. Significant results were returned from both the
Lowe and Heckmair prospects, which have been deemed as priority
prospects.
De Grey has commenced follow-up programs, with
~28,000 m of combined AC and RC drilling planned through the use of
two rigs. Assay results from these programs are
anticipated in H2, 2024.
EGINA GOLD CAMP
The Egina Gold Camp is Novo’s highly prospective
gold belt located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia and
includes the priority Becher and Nunyerry North
projects (Figure 1). This belt
comprises a series of structurally complex, gold-fertile corridors,
hosted by rocks of the Mallina Basin in the north and mafic /
ultramafic sequences further south. These corridors trend towards
De Grey’s 12.7 Moz Hemi Gold Project2
(Hemi) to the north and northeast.
Novo’s tenure forms a contiguous package of
approximately 80 km strike length directly along this trend and has
been the main focus area for Novo’s exploration programs over the
last two years, culminating in the Egina JV with De Grey and
delineation of the Nunyerry North gold prospect.
Figure 1: Location of Novo
tenements, the Egina JV area, Becher Project and priority projects
in the Pilbara
EGINA JV
________________________________________
2 For further details refer to De Grey’s ASX announcement titled
Hemi Gold Project Resource Update, dated 21 November 2023, relating
to De Grey’s Hemi. Withnell and Wingina mining centres. No
assurance can be given that a similar (or any) commercially viable
mineral deposit will be determined at Novo’s Becher Project.
In June 2023, Novo completed an earn-in and joint venture
agreement with De Grey Mining for the Company’s Becher Project and
the adjacent tenements within the Egina Gold Camp, with the
resultant joint venture to be known as the Egina JV.
De Grey is earning into the Egina JV with a minimum spend
of A$7 million to December 2024, as part of a required A$25 million
spend over 4 years to earn 50% of the joint venture.
The combined Egina JV and De Grey tenure forms a
strategically significant land position in the Mallina Basin
covering approximately 2,500 sq km. De Grey assumed management
control of the Novo area (under the earn-in arrangements) from 1
July 2023 and continues to advance key exploration efforts through
targeted AC and RC drill programs.
EGINA JV AND BECHER PROJECT
Novo’s early-stage reconnaissance work at Egina
successfully identified the Becher Project as a highly prospective
and high priority exploration target.
Reconnaissance and exploration programs
completed by Novo in 2021-2023 indicated both intrusion-hosted and
structurally controlled gold mineralisation similar in nature to
that described by De Grey at the Hemi deposit.
De Grey completed over 10,500 m of AC and RC
drilling in Q4 2023, testing immediate drill-ready targets at the
Lowe, Heckmair, Irvine and Bonatti targets. Significant assays were
returned from RC drilling at Lowe and Heckmair, enough to warrant
both prospects as priority targets for follow up in 2024.
De Grey recommenced drilling in late May 2024,
with two rigs concurrently conducting a proposed 28,000 m combined
AC and RC program. The RC program has started at Heckmair and has
been designed to follow up on encouraging results at Lowe,
Heckmair, and Whillans. The AC program has commenced at Lowe and
aims to provide better geochemical coverage over structural and
intrusion targets (Figure 2).
Figure 2 Proposed drill programs
by JV partner De Grey at the Becher Project in the Egina JV
Lowe
Lowe is located ~20 km WSW of Hemi. The prospect
includes an interpreted 5.2 km long, synclinal layered sill,
fractionated from pyroxenite at the base up to gabbro and diorite.
It is substantially thicker on the northern side of the syncline
and likely truncated by a fault and juxtaposed with altered
metasediment to the south.
A small RC drilling program of 10 holes (1,786
m) was completed by De Grey in late 2023. Drilling intersected
mineralisation in two holes in what is interpreted to be the same
structure (Figure 2). A key result of 8 m
at 4.7 g/t Au from 97 m was intersected in hole MSRC0031,
and 4 m at 0.6 g/t Au from 144 m was intersected in MSRC00323.
Mineralisation is hosted within strongly foliated and sheared
pyroxenite and gabbro with prominent sericite alteration, quartz
veining and pyrite.
A comprehensive, follow-up AC drilling program
has commenced at Lowe, comprising 220 AC holes for ~11,000 m to
test the western extension of the Lowe target stratigraphy
(Figure 2).
The 2024 RC program for Lowe comprises six holes
for ~500 m targeting the contact between the sill and surrounding
sediments and aims to confirm and extend significant intercepts
reported in 2023.
Heckmair
Interpretation of combined geophysical and
geochemical data from AC drilling by De Grey in Q4 2023 identified
a 1.5 km long WNW-trending fault zone within the Heckmair intrusive
body (Figure 3). The initial RC drill program
testing this structure successfully intersected strong base metal
results including4 (Figure 4):
-
10 m @ 0.12 g/t Au, 29.7 g/t Ag, 0.3% Cu, 1.5% Pb and 1.8% Zn from
40 m (MSRC0016) including 3 m @ 0.20 g/t Au, 59.8 g/t
Ag, 0.9% Cu, 2.4% Pb and 2.2% Zn from 47 m
-
24 m @ 0.2 g/t Au, 13.2 g/t Ag, 0.1% Cu, 1.0% Pb and 0.1% Zn in
hole MSRC0017 from 105 m (MSRC0017) including 6 m @ 0.48
g/t Au, 20.8 g/t Ag, 0.2% Cu, 1.4% Pb and 2.8% Zn from 105
m
The best gold intercept from the RC drilling was
2 m at 2.8 g/t Au in hole MSRC0013.
De Grey notes that other deposits and prospects
within the Mallina Basin show that base metal anomalism can be
associated with gold mineralisation. The Heckmair Fault shows
evidence for broad-scale fluid flow within a fault conduit with
favourable scale, and De Grey considers this to be a priority
target.
The RC drill program, which comprises 27 holes
for ~3,000 m, has commenced and will test the Heckmair Fault over a
2 km strike length at a nominal 320 m line spacing.
An AC program of 532 holes for ~23,500 m has
also commenced at Lowe and has been designed to extend the
geochemical coverage over yet untested mafic and ultramafic
intrusions. This program will include anomaly definition at Lowe
and Heckmair but will also expand preliminary geochemical coverage
over the Bonatti, Irvine, and Whillans prospects (Figure
2).
________________________________________
3 Refer to De Grey’s ASX news release dated 13 February 2024,
Greater Hemi and Regional Exploration update.4 Refer to De Grey’s
ASX news release dated 13 February 2024, Greater Hemi and Regional
Exploration update.
Figure 3 Target zone at the
Heckmair Fault
Figure 4 Heckmair cross-section
(619120E)
NUNYERRY NORTH AND PILBARA DRILL UPDATE
Nunyerry North is Novo’s high priority
exploration target with significant prospectivity, located in the
southern part of the Egina Gold Camp. Nunyerry North is part of the
Croyden JV (Novo 70%; Creasey Group 30%).
A ~4,000 m RC drill program commenced in late
May following significant results from the maiden drill program
which was completed in Q4 2023. The program is testing multiple new
targets along strike of known mineralisation and down plunge of
existing intercepts. Drilling is proceeding to plan with the
program expected to be completed in early July 2024. Assays are
expected in late July.
Post completion of drilling at Nunyerry North,
Pilbara exploration drilling will shift to either AC drilling at
the Balla Balla Gold Project or RC drilling in the
Karratha District gold and gold-copper
(+-platinum-palladium) targets dependent on the timing of heritage
surveys and final approvals which are expected in late July
2024.
Balla Balla is an emerging exploration project
centred on the Sholl Shear and associated potentially fertile
structural corridors undercover. The Project is considered
prospective for intrusion-hosted gold mineralisation, in addition
to structurally controlled gold. Geophysical interpretation and
research of historical data completed in 2023 advanced the
Company’s understanding of prospectivity in the project area and
further delineated targets for follow-up work in 2024. A
reconnaissance AC program is currently in planning for drilling in
H2 2024.
In the Karratha District, the maiden ~3,500 m RC
drill program is planned to test three significant gold and
gold-copper(+-platinum-palladium) targets at North Whundo, Railway
Bore and East Well.
ANALYTICAL METHODOLOGY – AC DRILLING
AC drilling is utilised as a first pass
technique testing for gold mineralisation and anomalous pathfinder
geochemistry in basement rocks under cover. The drilling
methodology is rapid and low cost, with a low impact footprint,
enabling large systematic programs to be completed in a cost
effective and timely manner.
One metre AC drill samples are collected from
the drill rig through a cyclone and placed on the ground in piles
for geological quantitative and qualitative logging. These piles
are then speared as four-meter composites.
All AC chip samples are sent to ALS in Perth,
Western Australia and each sample is dried, split, crushed and
pulverised to 85% passing 75µm. 11 elements assayed with aqua regia
mass spectrometry (ALS Lab Code ME-MS43) with an additional 29
elements assayed with aqua regia ICP-AES finish (ALS Lab Code
ME-ICP43),) and trace-level gold by 25 g aqua regia (ICP-MS). All
AC holes end with a 1 m bottom of hole sample using the ME-MS61
method with Au by 30 g fire assay (Au-ICP21). Anomalous AC
composites, greater than 0.1 ppm gold over 4 m, are re-split to 1 m
samples and were assayed using 30 g Au fire assay with ICP finish
(ALS Lab Code, Au-ICP21) and high-grade results >10 ppm Au were
assayed by fire assay and gravimetric finish (ALS Lab Code
Au-GRA21). Multielement analysis was conducted using four acid
digest followed by ICP-MS finish for 61 elements (ALS Lab Code
ME-MS61).
QAQC procedures for the program include
insertion of certified coarse blanks (minimum rate 2%), certified
standards (CRMs minimum rate 2%) and routine duplicate sampling. AC
samples are generally of good quality and appropriate for
delineation of geochemical trends but are not used in any Mineral
Resource estimates.
ANALYTICAL METHODOLOGY – RC DRILLING
RC drilling is an industry standard technique to
test for gold mineralisation and pathfinder geochemistry in
basement rocks under cover. The drilling methodology is of moderate
cost and impact but achieves a high sample quality.
RC sampling is carried out by a cone splitter on
the rig cyclone. Drill cuttings are sampled on a 1 m basis in
bedrock, and 4 m composite basis in cover. Geological quantitative
and qualitative logging is then completed from bulk reject material
on the drill pad.
All RC chip samples are sent to ALS in Perth,
Western Australia, with each sample dried, split, crushed and
pulverised to 85% passing 75µm. Analysis is by 30 g fire assay with
ICP-finish (ALS Lab Code, Au-ICP21) for gold, and for multielement
geochemistry using four acid digest followed by ICP-MS finish for
61 elements (ALS Lab Code ME-MS61). High range gold results (>
10 ppm Au) are repeated (ALS Lab Code Au-GRA21) and ore grade Ag
(>100 ppm Ag) Cu, Pb & Zn (>10,000 ppm) are assayed by
OG62.
QAQC procedures for the program include
insertion of certified coarse blanks (minimum rate 2%), certified
standards (CRMs minimum rate 2%) and routine duplicate
sampling.
RC sample sizes are considered appropriate for
the material sampled and considered representative and appropriate
for this type of drilling. RC samples can be used in a Mineral
Resource estimate.
Authorised for release by the Board of
Directors.
CONTACT
Investors:Mike Spreadborough +61 8 6400 6100
info@novoresources.com |
North American Queries:Leo Karabelas+1 416 543
3120leo@novoresources.com |
Media:Cameron Gilenko+61 466 984
953c.gilenko@morrowsodali.com |
|
QP STATEMENT
Ms. Karen (Kas) De Luca (MAIG), is the qualified
person, as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects, responsible for, and having
reviewed and approved, the technical information contained in this
news release. Ms De Luca is Novo’s General Manger Exploration.
JORC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
The information in this news release that
relates to Exploration Results at the Becher Project have been
reported by De Grey Mining Ltd (Novo’s joint venture partner in the
Egina JV) in its announcement titled ‘Greater Hemi and Regional
Exploration update’ on 13 February 2024, which is available to view
at www.asx.com.au. The Company is not aware of any reason to
indicate that the form and context in which the Competent Person’s
findings are presented in that announcement have been materially
modified from the original market announcement.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some statements in this news release may contain
“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian and
Australian securities law and regulations. In this news release,
such statements include but are not limited to planned exploration
activities and the timing of such. These statements address future
events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements to be materially different
from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or
implied by the statements. Such factors include, without
limitation, customary risks of the resource industry and the risk
factors identified in Novo’s annual information form for the year
ended December 31, 2023 (which is available under Novo’s profile on
SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and at www.asx.com.au in the Company’s
prospectus dated 2 August 2023 which is available at
www.asx.com.au. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the
date those statements are made. Except as required by applicable
law, Novo assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce
the results of any change to any forward-looking statement
contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual
results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions or
changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements.
If Novo updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference
should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with
respect to those or other forward-looking statements.
ABOUT NOVO
Novo is an Australian based gold explorer listed
on the ASX and the TSX focused on discovering standalone gold
projects with > 1 Moz development potential. Novo is an
innovative gold explorer with a significant land package covering
approximately 6,700 square kilometres in the Pilbara region of
Western Australia, along with the 22 square kilometre Belltopper
project in the Bendigo Tectonic Zone of Victoria, Australia.
Novo’s key project area is the Egina Gold Camp,
where De Grey Mining (ASX: DEG) is farming-in to form a JV at the
Becher Project and surrounding tenements through exploration
expenditure of A$25 million within 4 years for a 50% interest. The
Becher Project has similar geological characteristics to De Grey’s
12.7 Moz Hemi Project5. Novo is also advancing gold exploration at
Nunyerry North, part of the Croyden JV (Novo 70%: Creasy Group
30%), where 2023 exploration drilling identified significant gold
mineralisation. Novo continues to undertake early-stage exploration
across its Pilbara tenement portfolio.
Novo has also formed lithium joint ventures with
both Liatam and SQM in the Pilbara which provides shareholder
exposure to battery metals.
Novo has a significant investment portfolio and
a disciplined program in place to identify value accretive
opportunities that will build further value for shareholders.
Please refer to Novo’s website for further
information including the latest Corporate Presentation.
________________________________________5 Refer to De Grey ASX
Announcement, Hemi Gold Project Resource Update, dated 21 November
2023. No assurance can be given that a similar (or any)
commercially viable mineral deposit will be determined at Novo’s
Becher Project.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d318c3e6-7e39-497b-9856-1c93496d5602
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1eaff573-9b4c-4e75-b118-feefa3d3ff94
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bd9d9639-d606-4e01-afd9-9c52ab957f7a
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e950c428-feca-4c48-bf4b-1156c2cedea4
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fc64e1a4-5575-4a39-9b44-f33774aa174d
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