Barton Gold has initiated a scoping study to examine the potential for underground mine feed at its Challenger Gold Project in South Australia.
The decision follows a recent update to the project’s JORC (2012) mineral resources estimate (MRE), which reported that the underground resource had more than doubled to 230,000oz at a grade of 3.65g/t gold.
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The review will focus on evaluating whether these high-grade resources can be processed at the nearby Central Gawler Mill, which the company reports is fully permitted and considered suitable for refurbishment.
SRK Consulting (Australasia) will lead the scoping study, drawing on its previous work in the ongoing definitive feasibility study (DFS) for the project.
According to Barton Gold, recent drilling and updated modelling of the Challenger mineralisation have identified several targets for further follow-up drilling.
These targets include additional infill and extension drilling at the new Challenger 3 Deposit, as well as infill at Challenger South South West aimed at increasing the classification of mineralisation to the JORC ‘indicated’ category for possible mill feed.
The company also cited new drilling results from the Challenger ‘main’ open pit, where zones of high-grade mineralisation up to 170g/t gold have been identified in the pit walls, as well as ongoing work to convert more underground mineralisation to JORC resource status.
Challenger’s underground mine, which produced more than one million ounces (moz) of gold between 2002 and 2018, has existing infrastructure including dual declines.
The scoping study forms part of a broader evaluation of development options at the Challenger site.
As part of the overall strategy, a DFS is also underway, considering a possible restart of operations at the Central Gawler Mill and the reprocessing of historical tailings.
Barton Gold managing director Alexander Scanlon said: “We were pleasantly surprised by our detailed remodelling of Challenger’s high-grade underground mineralisation.
“There are now 230koz gold grading 3.65g/t gold located on or adjacent to existing development, including Resources which have improved in grade following reclassification from ‘open pit’ to ‘underground’ for more efficient extraction.
“Preliminary modelling indicates significant potential to convert additional high-value mineralisation through drilling.”
In November 2024, the company commenced reverse circulation (RC) growth drilling at its Tunkillia gold project in South Australia.
