Cluff Gold (AIM: CLF, TSX: CFG) has discovered a new mineralised zone at its wholly-owned flagship Baomahun gold project in Sierra Leone. The company’s ongoing in-fill drilling programme intersected the zone, offering additional resources near surface close to the current boundary of the proposed open pit.
Further drilling is now planned for this zone, the results of which will be incorporated into a new resource update in Q2 2010 before finalising the scoping study.
The current drilling programme is focused on improving the continuity and grade of the existing ore body, in all directions. Drilling is planned to continue until the rainy season starts in July.
Drill hole DDH314 intersected a new, near surface, mineralised zone located close to the current boundary of the proposed open pit. DDH314 intersected 9 metres grading 3.15 grams per tonne (gpt) gold beginning at a depth of 66 metres. In addition, holes DDH307 and 308 have added to the known extent of mineralisation in the Western Zone.
Due to the impact the additional mineralised zone is expected to have on the scoping study, Cluff has decided to prepare a resource update to include this new mineralised zone.
To date, a total of 5,000 metres of diamond core drilling has been completed in 13 holes. Samples are being analysed on an ongoing basis and assay results have been received for the first five holes and more assay results are expected during the month of April.
According to Cluff, the early indications suggest that the programme will improve the overall resource base for the project.
“With the continued drilling programme, the interpretation from the VTEM airborne survey and the near completed scoping study, we expect the Baomahun gold project to further demonstrate increased resources, which will add further value to the project", Chikohora added.
Cluff also noted that the majority of work for the scoping study has now been completed. The study is expected to indicate that Cluff will be able to profitably recover more than 1.1 million ounces of gold from the existing resource over an eight to ten year mine life.
Furthermore, work for the final feasibility study is ongoing, with environmental base line studies planned to start in Q2 2010.