Evolution Mining Limited (ASX: EVN) is pleased to provide an update to the underground Mineral Resource at its 100%-owned Edna May Gold Operations in Western Australia. The revised underground Mineral Resource comprises a total Indicated and Inferred Resource of 1.2 million tonnes at 7.0g/t for a total of 270,000 contained gold ounces.
This result highlights the success of 2011 drilling campaigns in upgrading a high proportion of Inferred Resources to Indicated and extending mineralisation at depth. The updated Mineral Resource represents a 70% increase in ounces to the previous estimate.
The underground Mineral Resource has only been defined to a depth of 550 metres below surface and remains open both at depth and along strike. Infill drilling to date has prioritised the upgrade of Inferred Resources close to the existing decline, beneath the open pit operation.
Commenting on the increase in resources, Evolution Executive Chairman, Jake Klein said:“This is an encouraging addition to our efforts to maximise the value of Edna May. Our focus at the operation over the next 12 months remains on improving the reliability and performance of the plant, but underground development represents an option for adding value to the long term future at Edna May.”
Drilling programmes targeted the infill of high value areas of the Resource and extensional targeting aimed at testing depth and strike extensions to mineralisation. To date, this has resulted in the definition of additional reefs in the hanging wall of the Edna May Gneiss and successfully defined strong grade continuity both laterally and at depth.
Commitment to develop the underground opportunity remains on hold pending outcome of a number of initiatives to improve the plant performance and to sustainably increase throughput. It is expected that these improvements will occur over the next 12 months.