Alice Queen has progressed its maiden drilling program at the Viani project in Vanua Levu, Fiji, where the company is testing for high-grade epithermal gold mineralisation.
The initial three-hole diamond drilling program aims to build on historic drilling results, including a 0.6m intersection at 27.6 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, and test extensions of quartz vein gold mineralisation at depth. Two holes have been completed, with the third set to begin shortly.
Alice Queen managing director Andrew Buxton confirmed that sample processing is underway, with priority samples from the first hole, 24VDD001, already dispatched to Australia for assay.
Samples from the second hole, 25VDD002, are high priority and will be dispatched within a fortnight, with all results expected in the first quarter of 2025.
“Our maiden drilling program at Viani continues to progress well with two of the initial three holes now complete,” Buxton said.
“Samples from hole 1 have already been dispatched for processing in Australia, which will shortly be followed by Hole 2 samples.
“At this stage, we plan to extend the maiden Viani drilling program to include additional drilling subject to the results received from the first three holes.”
The Viani project is largely underexplored, covering an area of approximately 200km².
Historic drilling by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) from 1995–1997 intersected significant low sulphidation epithermal gold mineralisation, including a 2.2m section grading 11.3 g/t gold alongside the 0.6m at 27.6g/t intercept.
Alice Queen’s Phase 1 drill program is testing continuity of mineralisation along strike and at depth. If results confirm extensions, the company plans a Phase 2 drilling program to further define the resource potential.
The Dakuniba prospect, within Viani, has been mapped for over 3km of high-grade epithermal gold mineralisation, reinforcing the project’s exploration potential.
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