ASX-listed Wia Gold has reported positive assay results for 29 reverse circulation (RC) drillholes and four diamond drillholes, totalling 7 414 m, at its Kokoseb gold project, in Namibia.

The drilling was undertaken to upgrade inferred resources and support resource growth at the 2.12-million-ounce project.

The company notes that central high-grade shoot definition continues with high-grade intercepts of 21.3 m at 3.96 g/t gold from 296 m, including 14.7 m at 5.15 g/t gold in KDD053; as well as 5.4 m at 7.59 g/t gold from 412.4 m in KDD051.

Additionally, infill drilling for shallow resource conversion at Central zone, Western zone and NW zone returned thick gold intercepts, including 10 m at 8.03 g/t gold from 126 m in KRC355; 40 m at 1.29 g/t gold from 81 m in KRC355; 25 m at 3.28 g/t gold from 104 m in KRC360; 22 m at 4.31 g/t gold from 72 m in KRC369; and 23 m at 2.18 g/t gold from 115 m in KRC364.

Wia says the drilling demonstrates notable continuity in grade and thickness for resource confidence upgrade to support the upcoming scoping study.

It adds that several significant intercepts identify mineralisation outside the current mineral resource estimate (MRE) boundary, including 17 m at 3.31 g/t gold from 238 m in KRC365.

Wia notes that mineralisation remains open at depth along strike at Kokoseb, with drilling continuing.

“Our drilling continues to confirm the consistency of mineralisation in both width and grade, which is expected to positively contribute to increased confidence in the MRE and support a resource upgrade.

“Wia is beginning to see significant results from the accelerated drilling campaign, with five to six rigs in operation since the beginning of the year.

“Importantly, we are expanding mineralisation beyond the current MRE boundary, further reinforcing our confidence in growth from the Kokoseb gold project,” says Wia executive chairperson Josef El-Raghy.

CENTRAL HIGH-GRADE SHOOT DEFINITION

Wia says diamond drilling continues to extend the high-grade shoot, which is centred on KRC086, along strike and up plunge and down plunge.

Diamond hole KDD053 has intersected 21.3 m at 3.96 g/t gold, including a higher-grade portion of 14.7 m at 5.15 g/t gold, which is located 150 m south of KRC086.

Other drillholes from the same area include significant intercepts of 5.4 m at 7.59 g/t gold from 412.4 m in KDD051; 6 m at 2.54 g/t gold from 404 m in KDD052; and 21.3 m at 3.96 g/t gold from 296 m in KDD053, including 14.7 m at 5.15 g/t gold.

Wia says high-grade mineralisation at the central shoot remains a key target for future developments at Kokoseb as it defines the potential for underground type operations.

Several diamond drillholes were recently completed along strike with assays pending, and at least one drill rig continues drilling at potential extensions.

Meanwhile, infill drilling for resource classification conversion has progressed from the northern side of the Central zone – results previously reported – to the Western zone.

At the Western Zzone, Wia says several significant intercepts are intersected outside the actual MRE.

The company says programme results strengthen the interpretation of splits and sub-parallel zones to the main zone in several places of the deposit, highlighting mineralisation which is currently not included in the current MRE.

Significant intercepts include 17 m at 3.31 g/t gold from 238 m in KRC365 and 10 m at 1.68 g/t gold from 186 m in KRC360.

Drill results from the main zones of mineralisation provide excellent continuity in grade and thickness and should facilitate reclassification of some of the MRE to indicated resources, says Wia.

The company says this resource upgrade will be an important contribution to the pending scoping study.