1.1Moz Maiden Fletcher Ore Reserve
ASX Announcement
Westgold Resources Limited
ABN 60 009 260 306
ASX | TSX: WGX
westgold.com.au
T: +61 8 9462 3400
E: perth.reception@westgold.com.au
Level 13, 200 St Georges Terrace
Perth WA 6000
PO Box 7068, Cloisters Square WA 6850
18 August 2026
1.1Moz Maiden Fletcher Ore Reserve
30% increase in Fletcher Total Resource with a 426% increase in the
Indicated Resource classification
Westgold Resources Limited (ASX | TSX: WGX – Westgold or the Company) is pleased to
announce a maiden Ore Reserve and an updated Mineral Resource for the Fletcher deposit.
Fletcher is an emerging mining opportunity and is one of three major mineralised systems within
Westgold’s Beta Hunt mining complex at Kambalda, Western Australia.
Highlights
Maiden Fletcher Ore Reserve of 13.5Mt at 2.6g/t Au for 1.1Moz establishes a
substantial new mineable inventory at Beta Hunt - supported by completed mine
planning, commercial evaluation and a Pre-Feasibility Study.
Fletcher’s Mineral Resource has increased by approximately 30% to 40.1Mt at
2.3g/t Au for 3.0Moz - including a 426% increase in Indicated Mineral Resource ounces
to 1.55Moz at 2.7g/t Au.
Approximately 74% of the updated Indicated Mineral Resource ounces have
converted into the maiden Ore Reserve for Fletcher - materially enhancing the
confidence and potential scale for Fletcher to become a third mining front at Beta
Hunt.
Total Beta Hunt Ore Reserve now stands at 21.7Mt at 2.34g/t Au for 1.6Moz and
Mineral Resource at 74.6Mt at 2.25g/t Au for 5.4Moz - representing 201% increase in
Ore Reserve and 104% increase in Mineral Resource since acquisition in August 20241
.
Increasing scale of Fletcher now underpins assessment of a 4Mtpa processing
case - with the Definitive Feasibility Study now being advanced ahead of the 2.6Mtpa
Higginsville expansion.
Upcoming catalysts include:
completion of the 4Mtpa processing expansion study,
an underground mass-haulage study for Fletcher, and
continued drilling of Fletcher’s open northern extension - with the Mason target
providing additional longer-term growth potential to the south.
1
Refer to ASX announcement titled “2024 Mineral Resource Estimate and Ore Reserves” - 16 September 2024 for more information
Westgold Declares Maiden Ore Reserve for Fletcher
2
Westgold Managing Director and CEO Wayne Bramwell commented:
“Westgold’s corporate strategy remains clearly focused on expanding and optimising our largest
mining and processing assets to maximise free cash flow. Drilling at Beta Hunt continues to
unlock material value for shareholders, with the emerging Fletcher Zone now contributing more
than 1Moz of Ore Reserve and 3Moz of Mineral Resource growth.
Beta Hunt is the key growth driver in our Southern Goldfields business, with our capital
investment focussed on lifting mine productivity. Westgold is currently mining from two
established mining fronts with mine output scheduled to increase from 1.7Mtpa to 2Mtpa during
FY27. This planned uplift excludes any contribution from the emerging Fletcher and Mason
orebodies.
The increasing scale of Fletcher, and the growing confidence in its mineable inventory, now
support a detailed evaluation of a 4Mtpa processing solution. Drilling will continue at Fletcher
and commence at Mason, with Westgold advancing related studies, alongside key
debottlenecking activities at Higginsville to support a larger processing facility.”
Figure 1 – Southern Goldfields Operations
Westgold Declares Maiden Ore Reserve for Fletcher
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Resource Growth into Ore Reserve
Fletcher has become one of the most significant value drivers within Westgold's Southern
Goldfields business.
Beta Hunt was the cornerstone asset in the 2024 transaction, containing 0.5Moz of Ore Reserve
and 2.6Moz of Mineral Resource2
. Since then, Westgold has completed more than 85km of
drilling across the Fletcher zone, substantially improving geological confidence and increasing
the scale of the broader Beta Hunt mining complex.
Much of this drilling was completed from within an active underground mining environment,
where existing infrastructure often constrained optimal resource definition drill positioning.
Despite these challenges, drilling has consistently expanded and upgraded the Fletcher
inventory,culminating in thedeclaration of amaiden Fletcher Mineral Resource of 2.3Mozin June
20253
, which has now increased by 30% to 3.0Moz and supported the declaration of a maiden
Ore Reserve of 1.1Moz (refer Table 1 and Figure 2).
Importantly, the drilling has demonstrated Fletcher to be a large mineralised system with
many geological similarities to the nearby Western Flanks orebody.
The substantial increase in Indicated Resources and successful conversion to Ore Reserve
materially strengthens confidence in Fletcher's ability to become a long-life contributor to the
future growth of the Beta Hunt operation.
Classification
June 2025 Fletcher MRE3
June 2026 Fletcher MRE
Tonnes
Grade
(g/t Au)
Ounces Tonnes
Grade
(g/t Au)
Ounces
Measured 0 0 0 0 0 0
Indicated 3,708,000 2.5 295,000 18,029,000 2.7 1,553,000
Inferred 27,266,000 2.3 2,030,000 22,117,000 2.1 1,472,000
Total 30,974,000 2.3 2,325,000 40,146,000 2.3 3,025,000
Table 1 – Fletcher MRE comparison: June 2025 and June 2026 (reported above 1.2g/t Au).
2
Refer to ASX announcement titled “2024 Mineral Resource Estimate and Ore Reserves” - 16 September 2024 for more
information.
3
Refer to the ASX announcement titled "Fletcher Zone Maiden Mineral Resource of 2.3Moz" - 23 June 2025 for further information.
Westgold Declares Maiden Ore Reserve for Fletcher
4
Figure 2 - Substantial growth and improvement in Fletcher MRE quality between 2025 and 20264
Mine planning and commercial evaluation have been completed by Westgold and resulted in the
maiden Fletcher Ore Reserve (refer Table 2 and Figure 3).
Classification Tonnes
Grade
(g/t Au)
Ounces
Proven 0 0 0
Probable 13,474,000 2.6 1,145,000
Total 13,474,000 2.6 1,145,000
Table 2 – Fletcher Maiden Ore Reserve June 2026
4
Refer to the ASX announcement titled "Fletcher Zone Maiden Mineral Resource of 2.3Moz" - 23 June 2025 for further information
regarding the maiden Mineral Resource for the Fletcher Zone.
2,325,000
1,258,000
-558,000
3,025,000
2025 MRE 2026 Indicated 2026 Inferred 2026 MRE
Ounces
0
500,000
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
3,000,000
3,500,000
4,000,000
Westgold Declares Maiden Ore Reserve for Fletcher
5
Figure 3 – Beta Hunt Long section inclusive of Fletcher mine plan
Background to the Ore Reserve Estimation
The Fletcher Ore Reserve estimation is based on the Fletcher Pre-Feasibility study completed by
Westgold Resources to assess the economic viability of the Fletcher orebody.
Economic Assumptions
The Pre-Feasibility Study used cost assumptions based on current Beta Hunt rates, given
Fletcher’s proximity and expected operating conditions. Westgold’s experience operating six
underground mines in Western Australia also provides confidence in the economic assumptions
underpinning the Fletcher study.
These cost profiles were used to determine the Fletcher cut-off grades and define the economic
blocks within the mine plan. The cut-off grades are shown in Table 3 below.
Parameter Value Comments
Full Costed COG 2.1g/t Incorporates initial and sustaining capital
Mine Operating COG 1.4g/t Assumes development complete
Development COG 1.0g/t Non-mining costs, assuming material hauled to surface
Table 3 – Economic Assumptions
Westgold Declares Maiden Ore Reserve for Fletcher
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Input Modifying Factors
The Fletcher Ore Reserve was estimated using Deswik Shape Optimiser (DSO). These were run
against gradient strings reflective of the potential location for ore drives. The settings used as
part of the DSO run were as follows in Table 4:
Parameter Units Value
Optimisation Field Input gc_au
Stope Orientation Direction YZ
Pillar Between Stopes M 0
Stope Length M 20
Minimum Mining Width M 5
Default Dip Degree 90
Wall Dilution M 0.5
Local Wall Angles Degree 75, 130, 20
Strike Angles Degree -30, 30, 20
Side Length Ratio M 2.25, 2.25
Table 4 – Input Modifying Factors
The DSO parameters were selected to reflect a practical longhole stoping framework for the
Fletcher orebody and to ensure the optimised shapes were aligned with the expected mining
geometry. The optimisation was undertaken using the gold grade field and constrained by
selected stope orientation, minimum mining width, wall dilution and local wall-angle
assumptions. These inputs provide a consistent basis for converting the Mineral Resource model
intomineable stope shapes whilerecognisingthe geometry,dip and continuity of themineralised
zones.
The resulting DSO shapes were then reviewed and adjusted through the mine planning process
to remove impractical shapes, rationalise stope continuity and ensure the final design reflected
operationally achievable development access, extraction sequencing and geotechnical
constraints. This process provides the link between the resource model, the optimisation
outputs and the final modifying factors applied in the Ore Reserve estimate.
Output Modifying Factors
The output modifying factors, or production factors, are shown in Table 5 below. These are used
throughout the mine planning and scheduling process as part of the study and are used as inputs
into the production rates and cost drivers.
Westgold Declares Maiden Ore Reserve for Fletcher
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Parameter Units Value
Stope Dilution % 12
Stope Recovery % 90
Tonnes per Drill Metre (102mm) TPD 10
Tonnes per Drill Metre (89mm) TPD 7
Loose fill density T/m³ 1.7
Cement density - 1.3
Tails density - 1.8
Paste solids content % 68
Stope Dilution Grade g/t 0
Free bogging % 30
Remote bogging % 70
Table 5 – Modifying factors used for Fletcher Ore Reserve
The production modifying factors were applied to the optimised stope inventory to derive the
practicable mineable tonnes, grade and contained ounces used in the Fletcher Ore Reserve
estimate. These factors reflect expected mining performance for longhole open stoping at Beta
Hunt, including dilution, recovery, production drilling productivity, bogging assumptions and
backfill design inputs. Together, they provide the operational bridge between the DSO-generated
shapes and the final scheduled mining inventory.
The dilution and recovery assumptions were incorporated into the reserve model prior to
scheduling, ensuring that the tonnes and grade reported in the Ore Reserve reflect expected
mine call factors rather than theoretical in-situ volumes. Similarly, the drill metre productivity
and fill density assumptions were used to inform production rates, backfill requirements and
sequencing constraints within the mine plan. These parameters are consistent with observed
underground performance and provide a reasonable basis for estimating the physical and cost
drivers of the Fletcher mining schedule.
Mining Assumptions
The Fletcher Ore Reserve has been evaluated using ore haulage to Westgold’s Higginsville
processing hub. Processing cost assumptions are based on current Higginsville operating cost
profiles, with capital and infrastructure assumptions incorporated where they are specifically
required to support Fletcher development.
Potential future processing cost benefits from a larger Higginsville plant, gas and solar
conversion or other infrastructure optimisation have not been included in the Ore Reserve
economic assessment and therefore represent potential upside rather than base-case
assumptions.
Westgold Declares Maiden Ore Reserve for Fletcher
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Fletcher has been modelled to be a complete load-haul-dump (LHD) operation.
Multiple declines will be installed from the surface (one ventilation and one haulage) separate
from the Beta Hunt mine. LHD operations will exist within Fletcher with a mixture of longitudinal
and transverse production areas. Ventilation throughout Fletcher will be linked via the surface
decline developed as part of the haulage route, additional ventilation will be linked throughout
the Beta Hunt primary system.
Next Steps
4Mtpa Expansion Study
The material increase in the Fletcher Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource has changed the
scale and sequencing of Westgold’s Higginsville expansion pathway.
When Westgold approved the Higginsville Expansion Plan in March 20265
, the 2.6Mtpa flowsheet
was deliberately engineered to support a potential future expansion to 4Mtpa, ensuring milling
capacity would not constrain growth from Beta Hunt and Fletcher. The increased Fletcher scale
now provides a stronger Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource base from which to assess that larger
4Mtpa case in detail.
As a result, Westgold has accelerated definitive design work on a 4Mtpa expansion case and is
reviewing the optimal timing and scope of the previously approved 2.6Mtpa stage. This does not
reflect a reduction in confidence in Higginsville, rather, it reflects a higher-confidence production
base at Beta Hunt and Fletcher, and an opportunity to simplify the expansion pathway by
assessing whether a direct 4Mtpa development provides a better long-term outcome than a
staged 1.6Mtpa to 2.6Mtpa to 4Mtpa sequence.
While this approach may extend the period that Higginsville operates at its current 1.6Mtpa
capacity, Westgold does not expect this to materially impact the Group production outlook.
The planned uplift in Higginsville milling capacity assumed in the 3-Year Outlook released in
October 2025, is expected to be achieved from additional milling capacity committed in, or
planned for the Murchison, where mining performance has exceeded expectations and
stockpiles are building faster than the Southern Goldfields.
The accelerated growth of ore stockpiles in the Murchison in combination with Westgold’s
treasury strength, now provides the imperative and resources to prioritise capital to expand the
Murchison processing capacities first.
Doing so brings value forward by monetising those stockpiles more rapidly than planned and
reflects the flexibility Westgold has to sequence capital across the broader portfolio.
5
Refer to the ASX announcement titled "Board Approves Higginsville Expansion Plan" - 10 March 2026 for further information.
Westgold Declares Maiden Ore Reserve for Fletcher
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Westgold has not slowed ancillary works at Higginsville that support both the current
operation and the longer-term expansion pathway.
This includes continuation of works associated with a hybrid solar and gas power solution for
Higginsville, a tailings lift, and progression of an in-pit tailings solution located proximate to the
Higginsville processing infrastructure. Together with other plant and infrastructure works, these
investments are designed to maintain safe and reliable operations, de-constrain and de-risk the
development timeline and execution risk of the 4Mtpa expansion and improve the resilience of
Higginsville as a long-term processing hub.
Importantly, this revised sequencing lowers execution risk materially for the Group.
Bydeferring thetwo-stage Higginsville expansion, Westgold can prioritise the4Mtpa design case.
In conjunction with the resequencing of expansion options to focus on the Murchison, this
approach supports increased Murchison production while the Southern Goldfields is engineered
to incorporate a single step, optimised final processing solution for the larger Fletcher / Beta
Hunt production base.
The result is a more balanced capital allocation pathway that prioritises milling capacity where
ore availability is most immediate. It also provides the time to advance Higginsville toward a
larger, more efficient and better-supported long-term expansion case.
With the Higginsville 4Mtpa Expansion Study to commence shortly it would be premature to
provide a definitive timeline for expected production increase to 4Mtpa as optimisation work is
ongoing. This study will be completed toward the end of FY27 where Westgold will align the
project plan within the DFS to the haulage studies to form the optimised regional schedule.
Importantly, Westgold intends to incorporate a preliminary assessment of the 4Mtpa
expansion opportunity, including indicative timing and sequence assumptions into the next
iteration of its Strategic Outlook, now expected to be released in early September 2026.
Mine Haulage Study
The Fletcher Ore Reserve has been evaluated and designed based on a conventional
underground trucking fleet hauling ore from underground to surface. This provides a practical
and executable basis for the maiden Ore Reserve, using mining and cost assumptions aligned
with current Beta Hunt operating parameters.
In parallel with the Higginsville 4Mtpa definitive design work, Westgold will commence an
underground haulage study to assess materials handling options that could improve the long-
term cost and productivity profile of Fletcher and the broader Beta Hunt system. The study,
expected to be completed in H2 FY27, will evaluate potential alternatives to truck haulage with
the objective of reducing unit mining costs, improving haulage efficiency and better aligning the
mine plan with the larger Higginsville processing pathway.
Westgold Declares Maiden Ore Reserve for Fletcher
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Fletcher remains open to the North and South
The maiden Fletcher Ore Reserve and updated Mineral Resource represent an important step in
defining the scale of the orebody, however significant exploration potential remains.
Drilling is continuing to test the northern strike extension of Fletcher (Figures 4, 5 and 6),
where mineralisation remains open toward the northern sublease boundary – a distance of
some 500 – 700m.
Beyond the current drilling program, Westgold sees further opportunity to expand the broader
Fletcher system tothe south –a target known asMason,across the Alpha Island Fault.Continued
testing of these areas represents the next logical step in evaluating the full scale and long-term
growth potential of the Fletcher-Beta Hunt mining complex, with drilling currently underway at
Mason to this end.
Figure 4 – Current Fletcher MRE footprint and highlighting expansion potential to the north and at
depth, with Mason target to the south.
Westgold Declares Maiden Ore Reserve for Fletcher
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Figure 5 – Beta Hunt Mineral Resource Schematic FY26.
Westgold Declares Maiden Ore Reserve for Fletcher
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Figure 6 – Beta Hunt Gold Mineral Resources spatial overview (plan view).
This announcement is authorised for release to the ASX by the Board.
Investor and media relations enquiries
Investor Relations
KasunLiyanaarachchi
Group Manager Investor Relations &
Communications
investor.relations@westgold.com.au
+61 458 564 483
Media
Annette Ellis
Manager Communications & Corporate Affairs
Media@westgold.com.au
+61 458 200 039
Westgold Declares Maiden Ore Reserve for Fletcher
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Competent/Qualified Person Statements
Exploration Results and Mineral Resource Estimates
The information in this release that relates to Exploration results and Mineral Resource Estimates is
compiled by Westgold technical employees and contractors under the supervision of Mr. Jake Russell
B.Sc. (Hons), who is a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and who has verified, reviewed
and approved such information. Mr Russell is a full-time employee of the Company and has sufficient
experience which is relevant to the styles of mineralisation and types of deposit under consideration and
to the activities which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of
the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (the
“JORC Code”) and as a Qualified Person as defined in the CIM Guidelines and National Instrument 43-101
– Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”). Mr. Russell is an employee of the Company
and, accordingly, is not independent for purposes of NI 43-101. Mr Russell consents to and approves the
inclusion in this release of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.
Mr Russell is eligible to participate in short- and long-term incentive plans of the company.
The updated MRE has an effective date of 30 June 2026 and was completed by Westgold technical
employees and contractors under the supervision of Mr Jake Russell. The key inputs and assumptions are
provided in Appendix C to this release including Section 1 – Sampling Techniques and Data, Section 2 –
Reporting of Exploration Results, Section 3 – Estimation and Reporting of Mineral Resources and Section
4 – Estimation and Reporting of Ore Reserves.
Ore Reserves
The information in this release that relates to Ore Reserve is based on information compiled by Mr. Leigh
Devlin B.Eng. FAusIMM, who has verified, reviewed and approved such information. Mr. Devlin has
sufficient experience which is relevant to the styles of mineralisation and types of deposit under
consideration and to the activities which they are undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined
in the JORC Code and as a Qualified Person as defined in the CIM Guidelines and NI 43-101. Mr. Devlin is
an employee of the Company and, accordingly, is not independent for purposes of NI 43-101. Mr. Devlin
consents to and approves the inclusion in this release of the matters based on his information in the form
and context in which it appears. Mr. Devlin is a full-time senior executive of the Company and is eligible to
and may participate in short-term and long-term incentive plans of the Company as disclosed in its annual
reports and disclosure documents.
General
Mineral Resources, Ore Reserve Estimates and Exploration Targets and Results are calculated in
accordance with the JORC Code. The other technical and scientific information in this release has been
prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in NI 43-101 and has been
reviewed on behalf of the company by Qualified Persons, as set forth above.
This release contains references to estimates of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. The estimation of
Mineral Resources is inherently uncertain and involves subjective judgments about many relevant
factors. Mineral Resources that are not Ore Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The
accuracy of any such estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data, and of the
assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation, which may prove
to be unreliable and depend, to a certain extent, upon the analysis of drilling results and statistical
inferences that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Mineral Resource estimates may require re-
estimation based on, among other things: (i) fluctuations in the price of gold; (ii) results of drilling; (iii)
Westgold Declares Maiden Ore Reserve for Fletcher
14
results of metallurgical testing, process and other studies; (iv) changes to proposed mine plans; (v) the
evaluation of mine plans subsequent to the date of any estimates; and (vi) the possible failure to receive
required permits, approvals and licenses.
The NI 43-101 technical report supporting the Maiden Ore Reserve contained in this release will be filed
on SEDAR+ within the next 45 days of the date of this release. Reference should be made to the full text
of the technical report for the assumptions, qualifications and limitations relating thereto.
Forward looking statements
These materials prepared by Westgold Resources Limited include forward looking statements. Often,
but not always, forward looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward looking
words such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, “believe”, “forecast”, “predict”, “plan”, “estimate”,
“anticipate”, “continue”, and “guidance”, or other similar words and may include, without limitation,
statements regarding plans, strategies and objectives of management, anticipated production or
construction commencement dates and expected costs or production outputs.
Forward looking statements inherently involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from
any future results, performance or achievements. Relevant factors may include, but are not limited to,
changes in commodity prices, foreign exchange fluctuations and general economic conditions,
increased costs and demand for production inputs, the speculative nature of exploration and project
development, including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses and permits and diminishing quantities
or grades of reserves, political and social risks, changes to the regulatory framework within which the
Company operates or may in the future operate, environmental conditions including extreme weather
conditions, recruitment and retention of personnel, industrial relations issues and litigation.
Forward looking statements are based on the Company and its management’s good faith assumptions
relating to the financial, market, regulatory and other relevant environments that will exist and affect the
Company’s business and operations in the future. The Company does not give any assurance that the
assumptions on which forward looking statements are based will prove to be correct, or that the
Company’s business or operations will not be affected in any material manner by these or other factors
not foreseen or foreseeable by the Company or management or beyond the Company’s control.
Although the Company attempts and has attempted to identify factors that would cause actual actions,
events or results to differ materially from those disclosed in forward looking statements, there may be
other factors that could cause actual results, performance, achievements or events not to be as
anticipated, estimated or intended, and many events are beyond the reasonable control of the Company.
In addition, the Company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward
looking statements as a result of the factors outlined in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s
continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR+ or the ASX, including, in the Company’s current
annual report, half year report or most recent management discussion and analysis.
Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements. Forward
looking statements in these materials speak only at the date of issue. Subject to any continuing
obligations under applicable law or any relevant stock exchange listing rules, in providing this
information the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any of the
forward-looking statements or to advise of any change in events, conditions or circumstances.
Westgold Declares Maiden Ore Reserve for Fletcher
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SECTION 1: SAMPLING TECHNIQUES AND DATA
(Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections.)
Criteria JORC Code Explanation Commentary
Sampling techniques
Drilling techniques
Drill sample recovery
• Nature and quality of sampling (e.g. cut channels, random chips, or
specific specialised industry standard measurement tools
appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole
gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc.). These
examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of
sampling.
• Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample
representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement
tools or systems used.
• Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to
the Public Report.
• In cases where ‘industry standard’ work has been done this would
be relatively simple (e.g. ‘reverse circulation drilling was used to
obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30
g charge for fire assay’). In other cases more explanation may be
required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent
sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types
(e.g. submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed
information.
• Drill type (e.g. core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary
air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc.) and details (e.g. core diameter,
triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or
other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc.).
• Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries
and results assessed.
• Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure
representative nature of the samples.
• Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade
and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential
loss/gain of fine/coarse material.
• Diamond Drilling
A significant portion of the data used in resource calculations has been gathered from diamond
core. Multiple core sizes have been used historically. This core is geologically logged and
subsequently halved for sampling. Grade control holes may be whole-cored to streamline the core
handling process if required.
• Face Sampling
At each of the major past and current underground producers, each development face / round is
chip sampled perpendicular to the mineralisation. The sampling intervals are domained by
geological constraints (e.g. rock type, veining and alteration / sulphidation etc.). The majority of
exposures within the orebody are sampled.
• Sludge Drilling
Sludge drilling is performed with an underground production drill rig. It is an open hole drilling
method using water as the flushing medium, with a 64mm (nominal) hole diameter. Sample
intervals are ostensibly the length of the drill steel. Holes are drilled at sufficient angles to allow
flushing of the hole with water following each interval to prevent contamination. Sludge drilling is
not used to inform resource models.
• RC Drilling
Drill cuttings are extracted from the RC return via cyclone. The underflow from each interval is
transferred via bucket to a four-tiered riffle splitter, delivering approximately three kilograms of the
recovered material into calico bags for analysis. The residual material is ret
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