Haranga Resources Limited is preparing to launch underground diamond drilling at the Lincoln Gold Project in California, following site dewatering and power installation.

Swick’s underground diamond drill rig is scheduled to arrive at the site by the end of the week, with drilling to commence shortly after. The Phase 2 programme comprises 16 HQ diamond holes for approximately 1,500 metres, with planned depths ranging from 40 metres to 230 metres. Operations will begin at crosscut 11 before retreating to crosscuts 10 and 9 with shorter fan holes to address an under-drilled area between the Lincoln and Comet zones. The broader project hosts a JORC Mineral Resource Estimate of 2.46 million tonnes at 5.1 grams per tonne gold for 402,000 ounces.

Dewatering of the Stringbean Alley decline has been completed, alongside the installation of a new underground Mine Power Centre at crosscut 7 to support drilling and future development.

“With dewatering complete and the new MPC installed at crosscut 7, the key underground infrastructure is now in place to support the next phase of drilling. Our priority is to take a methodical and cost- conscious approach to evaluating and growing Lincoln's Mineral Resource, ensuring a robust technical platform for further development activities. The 16-hole Phase 2 programme is an important part of this approach, as it has been designed to improve confidence in the southern portion of the Resource and address important drilling gaps between the Lincoln and Comet zones.”

— Patrick Mutz, CEO & MD

In parallel with drilling, Haranga is reprocessing residual pulps and half-core from historical holes KDH-0020 and KDH-0021 to support the assessment of the South Spring Hill Exploration Target, which spans 1.16 million to 1.64 million tonnes at 5.4 to 5.8 grams per tonne gold for 202,000 to 308,000 ounces. The company has also commenced underground backs sampling to validate historical channel-sampling data.

“In parallel to planned drilling, we are reprocessing historical samples from South Spring Hill and undertaking underground backs sampling. Subject to the results, these workstreams also have the potential to further grow and improve the confidence of the Lincoln Mineral Resource Estimate. I look forward to reporting further developments at Lincoln to shareholders in due course.”

— Patrick Mutz, CEO & MD

Subject to assay results and technical work, Haranga is targeting an updated Lincoln Mineral Resource Estimate incorporating South Spring Hill.

Read the full announcement: Phase 2 Underground Drilling Set to Commence at Lincoln