Santana Minerals (ASX:SMI) has announced promising assay results from its ongoing drilling program at the Rise and Shine (RAS) deposit. The latest drilling targeted extending the ore system to the south and at depth, as well as geotechnical analysis for open pit wall positions. Key highlights include significant high-grade gold mineralisation intersected beneath the current pit designs. MDD418 returned 27.0m @ 2.3 g/t Au from 153.0m, including high-grade sections of 4.0m @ 11.4 g/t Au and 3.0m @ 37.4 g/t Au. MDD419 intersected 7.0m @ 5.9 g/t Au from 86.0m.
Geotechnical drilling also revealed mineralised zones outside the current resource model, offering upside potential. MDD414 showed 4.0m @ 10.5 g/t Au from 240.0m and 2.0m @ 9.6 g/t Au from 259.0m. CEO Damian Spring highlighted that these results point to a parallel zone of high-grade mineralisation emerging outside the current Mineral Resource estimate. The company is now focusing on extension and infill drilling of the main RAS high-grade core, aiming to upgrade the resource classification from Inferred to Indicated. Regional exploration drilling is also ongoing as part of the RINA program.
The mineralisation presents as a quartz stockwork lode located beneath the current open pit designs. Drilling at RAS South targeted mineralisation up to 40m below the Thomsons Gorge Fault, with both drillholes successfully intersecting deeper mineralisation. Santana Minerals is progressing with resource definition and exploration programs to unlock the full potential of the RAS deposit.
