Alien Metals Ltd says results encouraging from maiden drilling programme on

() said initial results were encouraging from the maiden drilling programme on its Hancock iron ore project, part of the Hamersley iron ore project in Western Australia.

The drilling was completed in March across priority high grade Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) targets and results have been received from 17 out of 53 holes.

The best results included 26 metres at 54.3% iron from surface, including 13 metres at 61.5% iron; 18 metres at 55.1% iron; and 10 metres at 55% iron.

“We are really pleased with the success thus far from our maiden drilling program and are delighted to now be looking towards next stage work and planning,” said Bill Brodie Good, Alien’s chief executive and technical director.

“In addition to the known DSO grade iron ore at the Sirius Extension prospect, initial assay results confirm the existence of outcropping DSO grade mineralisation in initially identified ridges A to E. The programme has also opened new highly prospective areas of the tenement previously not explored and identified prospective further DSO grade potential.

“Initial results are encouraging and already add to the understanding of the mineralisation of the project.

“The remaining results are expected in the coming weeks and will provide the company with a greater understanding of the potential of the project and support planning for a follow-up drilling programme, which will be commencing shortly after, given that we are now in the optimum field season in the Pilbara region,” he said.