Gorilla Gold Mines (ASX: GG8) has intercepted the best gold mineralisation to date at the Lakeview prospect within its Comet Vale project in Western Australia.

The positive results from first-pass reverse circulation (RC) exploratory drilling at Lakeview have extended the strike of the mineralised system to 400 metres, with the system remaining open in all directions.

Highlights from drilling to date include 19m at 18.1 grams per tonne gold and 11m at 24.8g/t from 145m.

Becoming a ‘top priority’

“The two best results so far have extended the strike of this system significantly [and] Lakeview is turning into a top priority for GG8,” chief executive officer Charles Hughes said.

“Lakeview’s gold mineralisation is hosted in a major fault that transects ultramafic rocks close to a granite contact, with gold associated with quartz veining, sulphide development and biotite alteration.”

“This style of mineralisation looks similar to that seen at Tower Hill in Leonora, 135 kilometres to the north, albeit in an orientation similar to Kanowna Bell near Kalgoorlie.”

“Historically, Lakeview was composed of many small mining leases owned and operated by different groups and it is suspected that mining was undertaken only to the top of the water table.”

Accelerated drilling

Mr Hughes said Gorilla has one RC rig continuing work at Lakeview and the company is looking at accelerating drilling there.

The Lakeview prospect has previously seen only minimal work, with historical workings from the early 1900s present over 2km of strike varying from open stoping at surface to small exploratory pits and shafts.

Gorilla Gold has earmarked Lakeview and Cheer as prospects to target at Comet Vale, which has historical production of approximately 200,000 ounces at around 20g/t.

Underground operations

Underground operations occurred at Comet Vale as recently as 2018, with the bulk of historical production coming from the Sovereign prospect that hosts a mineral resource estimate of 96,000oz at 4.8g/t.

Gorilla has identified early development potential at Sovereign, which is located within granted mining leases adjacent to the Goldfields Highway, in a region with multiple operational gold mills within a 100km radius of the project area.

The company has also commenced drilling at its emerging discovery at Sovereign.