Bardoc Gold drilling confirms growth potential of Sigma Lode at 1.7-million-ounce Aphrodite gold deposit

Bardoc Gold Ltd's (ASX:BDC) results from recent resource definition and exploration drilling at the cornerstone Aphrodite deposit, part of its 3.03-million-ounce Bardoc Gold Project near Kalgoorlie, demonstrate growth potential in the under-explored Sigma Lode. The drilling has confirmed shallow supergene mineralisation at the Sigma Lode, immediately east of the planned open pit over the main Alpha and Phi lodes, while also identifying notable widths and grades of mineralisation within the Sigma Lode at depth in fresh rock. These results provide confidence in increasing the current 1.7-million-ounce resource at Aphrodite and shares have been almost 4% higher to 8 cents. “High-grade mineralised zone” Bardoc Gold CEO Robert Ryan said the recent drilling targeting the Sigma Lode demonstrated the potential both to expand shallow supergene ore reserves and to delineate deeper extensions that could emerge as an exciting longer-term growth opportunity. He said: “Infill drilling at the Sigma pit has confirmed the presence of a broad high-grade mineralised zone in line with the current resource model. “The Sigma pit did not previously form any part of the PFS mine plan or ore reserve and will provide a welcome addition to our DFS, due for release in March 2021. “Meanwhile, the high-grade intercept of 21 metres at 3.94 g/t presents further opportunity at depth at this emerging prospect.” Key results The drilling comprised 26 holes for 4,592 metres and has confirmed shallow supergene mineralisation in the optimised Sigma Pit area in line with the current resource model - highlighting the potential for additions to the current open pit ore reserve. Best results include: 21 metres at 3.94 g/t from 147 metres including 7 metres at 6.12 g/t from 161 metres in hole 20APRC0013; 7 metres at 2.77 g/t from 177 metres; 8 metres at 2.92 g/t from 78 metres; 10 metres at 1.23 g/t from 56 metres; and 9 metres at 1.51 g/t from 69 metres. The widths and grades returned in 20APRC0013, if found to be continuous, may have a positive impact on future resource models and pit optimisations of the Sigma Lode Pit, as well as the evaluation of future underground mining. Sigma Lode and pit optimisation Long-term growth opportunity The Aphrodite deposit is a multi-lode system containing 1.7 million ounces in resources and 500,000 ounces in ore reserves. It forms a key baseload ore feed in the later years of the current mine plan for the Bardoc Gold Project, supplementing ore from the Excelsior and Zoroastrian deposits, 20 kilometres to the south, where the central treatment facility will be located. The Sigma Lode is under-explored compared to the Alpha and Phi lodes and represents a long-term growth opportunity for Bardoc Gold. Ryan said: “The Sigma lode is located only 400 metres from the proposed underground workings at Aphrodite and will form part of our future exploration plan at the project. “Our exploration effort is currently in full flight with diamond drilling underway at the Northern Zoroastrian prospect and RC drilling about to commence at the exciting North Kanowna Star Project, where we recently reported significant shallow aircore results, and we expect strong newsflow from this campaign to continue over the coming weeks.” Next steps The company is undertaking the following exploration activities in the near-term: An RC drill rig is mobilising to North Kanowna Star this week to follow-up the multiple gold trends recently discovered by aircore drilling; Aircore drilling at Aphrodite is continuing to the area east of the known mineralisation and will return to North Kanowna Star shortly to explore for extensions of the anomalous areas; and Exploration diamond core drilling is ongoing at the northern end of the cornerstone Zoroastrian deposit.