Talisman Mining Ltd (ASX: TLM) has commenced an extensive auger drill programme to test basement geochemistry across its Central Lachlan Copper-Gold Project in NSW. The company is conducting the programme using in-house equipment purchased in 2022, including an Eziprobe 1700 drill rig and Portable PPB’s detectORE™ analytical technology.
Experienced local field services provider, Williamson Geotechnical, has assisted Talisman with establishing operational procedures and commissioning of the auger rig. The Eziprobe 1700 drill rig is mounted on a modified Landcruiser 79 series utility and has the capacity to drill a 100mm diameter auger drill-hole and return a basement sample to a depth of up to 20m, subject to ground conditions. As the owner-operator of this equipment, Talisman can ensure availability of the drill rig to align with opportunities for land access and approvals and conduct drilling in a more cost-effective and efficient way than utilizing a contracted service provider.
The campaign is designed to test basement geochemistry across targets generated by regional geophysical surveys and undertake conceptual structural analysis in areas of shallow post-mineral cover. These areas are considered suitable for cost-effective auger drilling techniques, which can be conducted more rapidly than conventional RC drilling. Drilling is planned to be conducted across several target areas on exploration licences (EL’s) 8414, 8571, 8615, 8677, 8658, 8659, and 8719, with a total of 5,500 auger holes currently planned. The programme is estimated to take four to five months to complete, depending on final hole depths across each programme, with analysed samples providing a pipeline of ongoing geochemical anomalies for further work.
Talisman intends to complete internally managed auger drilling programmes before assessing options to generate additional income by providing auger drilling services to other third-party explorers. Internal drilling programmes will be always prioritized. Base-of-hole samples will be taken from each hole for geochemical analysis. Analytical results for geochemical assays experienced extended turnaround times in 2022, with expected six-week assay returns being delayed by three to four months. To allow for rapid target generation based on auger drilling programmes, Talisman has partnered with Portable PPB Pty Ltd, an Australian private company holding the exclusive global licence to the CSIRO developed low-level gold by pXRF technology known as detectORE™.
To find out more, please visit www.talismanmining.com
