High-Grade Silver and Gold Intercepts Raise Stakes for Elizabeth Hill Project
West Coast Silver has reported extraordinary high-grade silver and gold intercepts from its maiden diamond drilling program at the Elizabeth Hill Silver Project, highlighting near-surface mineralisation with grades that could reshape project economics.
- Drill hole 25WCDD011 intercepts 13m at 1,615 g/t silver including 2m at 10,049 g/t
- High-grade gold intercept of 1m at 11.1 g/t also recorded in 25WCDD011
- Native silver visually identified, prompting gravity separation processing studies
- Drill hole 25WCDD012 returns significant near-surface silver intercepts
- Elizabeth Hill project located near existing processing infrastructure at Radio Hill
Exceptional Silver Grades from Maiden Drilling
West Coast Silver Limited (ASX, WCE) has delivered a striking update from its inaugural diamond drill program at the Elizabeth Hill Silver Project in the Pilbara. The highlight comes from drill hole 25WCDD011, which intersected multiple high-grade silver zones starting from just 5 metres below surface. Among these, a remarkable 13-metre interval grading 1,615 grams per tonne (g/t) silver includes an extraordinary 2-metre section at 10,049 g/t silver; grades that are rarely seen in modern exploration.
Complementing the silver results, the same hole also yielded a high-grade gold intercept of 1 metre at 11.1 g/t, underscoring the polymetallic potential of the deposit. These findings reinforce the near-surface potential of Elizabeth Hill, a project with a rich production history but one that has remained largely underexplored in recent years.
Native Silver and Processing Prospects
Adding to the excitement, native silver was visually identified in the core from 25WCDD011. This discovery has triggered investigations into the feasibility of a simple gravity separation process to recover free silver, potentially lowering processing costs. Elizabeth Hill’s proximity to existing processing facilities, notably the Radio Hill site located approximately 25 kilometres north, could offer a strategic advantage in advancing the project toward production.
Drill hole 25WCDD012 also returned encouraging results, with significant silver mineralisation near surface including 6 metres at 317 g/t silver, further supporting the continuity of high-grade zones across the project area.
Robust Exploration Methodology and Future Outlook
The company’s detailed announcement outlines rigorous sampling and assay protocols, including the use of industry-standard diamond drilling, laboratory analyses at ALS Perth and ALS Langley Canada, and comprehensive quality control measures. These steps ensure confidence in the reported assay results and provide a solid foundation for resource estimation.
Executive Chairman Bruce Garlick expressed optimism about the results, noting the exceptional grades and near-surface nature of the mineralisation. He highlighted the potential for further discoveries and additional assay results expected in the coming weeks, which could expand the known mineralised footprint.
Elizabeth Hill’s historical production of 1.2 million ounces of silver from a modest tonnage at very high grades, combined with the recent consolidation of surrounding land packages, positions West Coast Silver well for significant resource growth. The project’s location within a tier 1 mining jurisdiction and on a granted mining lease further enhances its appeal.
Bottom Line?
With such extraordinary grades and near-surface mineralisation, West Coast Silver’s Elizabeth Hill project is poised for a transformative exploration phase that could redefine its value proposition.
Questions in the middle?
- What will the upcoming assay results from the remaining drill holes reveal about the deposit’s scale and continuity?
- How will metallurgical testing of native silver impact processing strategies and project economics?
- What timeline and capital requirements will West Coast Silver outline for advancing Elizabeth Hill toward resource definition and potential development?
