Great Western Mining Corp PLC says drilling started on Mineral County operations

Great Western Mining Corp PLC (LON:GWMO, Euronext Growth:8GW) said drilling has started on its operations in Mineral County, Nevada to test a prospective copper target and is likely to be followed by a second hole on the same prospect. 

It is using a light and manoeuvrable rig, which is less powerful than a larger rig, so the initial drilling will test its capabilities and rate of penetration. The company plans to drill veins on the Mineral Jackpot group with this rig during the current work season, in areas which are difficult to access for a larger rig without new road construction.

Great Western also said a reverse circulation drilling rig will be moved to the Trafalgar Hill prospect at the Olympic gold project, subject to the receipt of a formal drilling permit which is expected shortly. Six holes will initially be drilled on the prospect, most likely starting in the third week of April.

“This is an exciting moment for the company, being the first time in its history that it has launched a major drilling campaign for precious metals, while a recent fund-raising will enable us to expand the programme where appropriate,” said chairman Brian Hall. 

“Our drilling plans for the 2021 season, primarily the search for precious metals but also including testing a copper prospect, are on track,” he said.

The company also said a long-term analysis of a sample load of spoil heap material from Mineral Jackpot has been completed and concluded that gravity separation would be the most effective and economic means of recovering commercial quantities of gold and silver from the spoil heaps in this area.