Ora Banda Uncovers New High-Grade Gold Lode at Waihi, Boosting Mine Expansion Plans
Ora Banda Mining reports exceptional drill results from the Waihi deposit, revealing a new gold lode and significant depth extensions that strengthen the case for a third underground mine at the Davyhurst Project.
- Outstanding drill intercepts from first 9 holes of 45-hole program
- Discovery of new gold lode with high-grade intersections
- Waihi West Lode extended beyond 350 vertical metres
- Supports development of Waihi as third underground mine
- Ongoing drilling to test further exploration targets
Strong Start to Extensive Drilling Program
Ora Banda Mining Limited (ASX, OBM) has announced impressive early results from its ongoing drilling campaign at the Waihi deposit, part of the broader Davyhurst Project in Western Australia. The initial nine holes of a planned 45-hole, 15,300-metre program have yielded outstanding gold intersections, underscoring the deposit's high-grade potential and expanding known mineralisation.
New Gold Lode Discovery and Depth Extensions
The drilling has uncovered a previously unrecognised gold lode in the hanging wall of the historical Golden Pole Mine, with intercepts including 13.5 metres at 6.1 grams per tonne (g/t) and 8.0 metres at 8.7 g/t gold, featuring a high-grade 4.0-metre section at 14.9 g/t. Simultaneously, the Waihi West Lode has been extended to depths exceeding 350 vertical metres, highlighted by a remarkable 3.9 metres at 29.5 g/t gold, including 1.8 metres at an exceptional 60.8 g/t.
Implications for Mine Development
Located just three kilometres from Ora Banda's processing plant, the Waihi deposit is being positioned as a potential third underground mine alongside the existing Riverina and Sand King operations. Managing Director Luke Creagh emphasized the significance of these results, noting that the combination of high-grade widths and meaningful depth extensions bolsters the case for Waihi's development, potentially enhancing the project's production profile.
Geological Context and Exploration Outlook
The Waihi deposit's gold mineralisation is structurally controlled, primarily associated with ductile shear zones and quartz veins within a complex volcanic rock sequence. The new lode discovery and depth extensions remain open for further expansion along strike and at depth. The company plans to continue drilling the remaining 36 holes to test additional highly prospective targets and further delineate mineralisation.
Quality Assurance and Future Work
Ora Banda confirms that sampling and assay procedures meet industry standards, with rigorous quality control measures in place. The company intends to undertake further resource definition drilling and regional exploration to refine the mineral resource and support future mine planning. These developments mark a significant step forward in unlocking the full potential of the Davyhurst Project.
Bottom Line?
Ora Banda's Waihi drilling success sets the stage for a new underground mine, but ongoing exploration will be key to confirming its full scale.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the new lode discovery impact the overall resource estimate at Waihi?
- What are the expected capital requirements and timeline for developing Waihi as a third underground mine?
- Could further drilling reveal additional high-grade shoots beyond the current targets?
