Great Pacific Gold Expands Its Kesar Project Drilling Program
Great Pacific Gold Corp. (TSXV: GPAC) continues to make headlines with its ambitious Kesar Project. This project is located in the Eastern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea, close to K92 Mining’s tenements, where exploration has revealed multiple high-priority targets.
Significant Increases in Drilling Program
The company recently announced an increase in its drilling program from an initial 2,700 meters to an impressive 5,000 meters. This expansion underscores the potential for high-grade gold deposits, particularly at the Anteruno prospect.
Previous Exploration Successes
Earlier exploration efforts at Kesar have yielded remarkable results. Notably, soil samples returned extremely high grades, including 47.6 grams per tonne (g/t) and 36.7 g/t of gold. Additionally, one artisanal working showed a stunning 224 g/t of gold, and outcrops recorded assays of up to 116 g/t.
Drilling Operations Commence
With two diamond drill rigs mobilized to the site, drilling is expected to commence imminently. Preparations include four operational drill pads with an additional four planned. The initial phase aims to drill four holes, totaling approximately 1,900 meters from the first two pads.
Insights from Surface Mapping
A thorough surface mapping program conducted in September 2024 has provided valuable insights into the structure of the Anteruno prospect. Geologists have identified gold-bearing structures that primarily strike east-west to north-west. The veins form subparallel or sheeted vein sets, indicating a promising setting for future mineralized intersections.
Geology, Alteration, and Mineralization of the Kesar Project
The geological setting of the Kesar Project consists predominantly of granodiorite. Phyllic alteration characterized by quartz-pyrite-sericite is largely confined to structures and vein walls, while granodiorite found away from these structures remains unaltered.
Understanding the Mineralization Process
Mineralized veins primarily consist of quartz and coarse pyrite, with lesser amounts of other sulphides like molybdenite and arsenopyrite. The highest assay recorded from rock samples is an impressive 116.0 g/t, sourced from an oxidized quartz-pyrite-dark sulphide vein.
Expansion Beyond Initial Plans
The initial drilling program was expected to take approximately two months for completion, but the expansion to 5,000 meters might extend operations into the following year. Each bore sampled is sent for assay at various intervals to monitor the program's progress and efficiency.
Local Infrastructure Development
The progress made by the company over the last month is commendable. Local contractors have established essential facilities such as a drillers camp, a new helipad, and an efficient core processing and logging facility at the nearby Gusap airstrip, which positions the company for streamlined operations.
Future Outlook for Great Pacific Gold
As Great Pacific Gold moves forward with its Kesar Project, the focus on high-grade mineral targets aims to attract investors and stakeholders alike. The company is actively working on other exploration projects in Papua New Guinea and Australia, including Arau, Wild Dog, Lauriston, and Walhalla, which are anticipated to deliver promising results.
Conclusion: The Path Ahead
The increased drilling program, coupled with robust preliminary results and local development initiatives, paints a positive picture for Great Pacific Gold. With ongoing efforts and strategic planning, the company looks to solidify its position as a key player in the gold and copper exploration sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kesar Project?
The Kesar Project is an exploration site located in the Eastern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea, known for its high-grade gold and copper resources.
Why has Great Pacific Gold expanded its drilling program at Kesar?
Great Pacific Gold expanded its drilling program to 5,000 meters following strong preliminary results that indicate significant potential for high-grade deposits.
What geological features characterize the Kesar Project?
The Kesar Project is primarily hosted in granodiorite with phyllic alteration and notable gold-bearing structures that have been mapped across the site.
How does the company manage quality control during assays?
The company employs rigorous quality control measures, including using duplicates, blanks, and standards to validate results from their reconnaissance rock chip sampling.
What other projects is Great Pacific Gold involved in?
In addition to Kesar, Great Pacific Gold is exploring several other projects in Papua New Guinea and Australia, including Arau, Wild Dog, Lauriston, and Walhalla.
