Miner to drill high-grade gold zone in Batangas

Canadian mining company Mindoro Resources Inc. said more drilling would start within the next two weeks in the so-called Southwest Breccia high-grade gold shoot at Lobo, Batangas.

In a statement sent via e-mail, the company said previous drilling hinted at a significant gold system and further drilling could allow the company to build gold resources.

The southwest Breccia high-grade gold shoot is a thick, mineral-rich outcropping that forms part of a 5-kilometer ground system, the mining company said.

Company president and CEO Jon Dugdale said, “The commencement of the southwest breccia high-grade gold shoot drilling program is a key milestone for the company as we look to further build gold resources in Batangas.”

Nine holes will be made for the drilling program. Drilled soil will be used as samples for metallurgical testing.

In another project, Dugdale said, “Pan de Azucar continues to produce thick gold-copper intercepts and the massive sulphide body remains open and generally thickens to the southeast.”

Pan de Azucar is located in Iloilo province. A massive sulphide body, it is made up of layered accumulations of minerals on top of a volcanic bedding.

Extension drilling will soon be in the works for Pan de Azucar following the initial metallurgical test results on drilling, Mindoro Resources said.

The metallurgical testing will be conducted at Minercon laboratories in Manila. Mindoro Resources disclosed that Minercon laboratories was not an accredited laboratory of the American Society of Appraisers.

Testing will investigate copper-zinc concentration, acid production, and suitability to gold extraction.