Nelson Resources (ASX:NES) reports high grade underground sampling results at Orleans Mine

Nelson Resources has reported results from systematic underground channel sampling completed on the 400 foot level of the Orleans Mine within its Gold Point Project in Nevada.

The program returned a highest result of 113.5g/t Au and 119g/t Ag over 1.83m, approximately 10m below previously reported sampling from the 300 foot level.

The company says the results will be incorporated into its mine scale 3D geological model and used to refine targets for the planned underground diamond drilling program.

Highlights

The latest work comprised 22 vertical channel samples collected from the exposed hematite quartz breccia vein fault on the 400 foot level during rehabilitation activities.

According to the company, the program was designed to evaluate grade variability along the exposed fault zone, identify structural positions associated with elevated gold and silver grades, compare results with sampling completed on the 300 foot level, improve understanding of the orientation and internal architecture of the Orleans vein, and define priority positions for underground diamond drilling.

The highest assay from the program returned 113.5g/t Au and 119g/t Ag over 1.83m, while additional significant results included 3.15g/t Au and 44.4g/t Ag over 1.98m and 2.08g/t Au and 28.1g/t Ag over 1.14m.

The company says the highest grade gold and silver results continue to be associated with brecciated quartz structures and subsidiary faults developed within the principal Orleans vein fault.

It also says these observed structural relationships will be used to refine the orientation of planned diamond holes, assess interpreted extensions of high grade structural positions and further develop its mine scale 3D geological model.

The announcement also references previously reported underground channel sampling from the 300 foot level, including 77.3g/t Au and 102g/t Ag over 3.0m, 27.2g/t Au and 27g/t Ag over 3.0m, 10.3g/t Au and 3,840g/t Ag over 3.0m, and 2.72g/t Au and 1,865g/t Ag over 3.0m.

The company states that the latest result confirms high grade mineralisation approximately 10m below the previously reported level.

Nelson Non Executive Chairman Gernot Abl said:

“With high-grade gold-silver now identified on multiple levels, we are gaining confidence that Orleans hosts a broader, structurally controlled vein system rather than isolated occurrences. Our focus is on systematically mapping and sampling the vein to define these high-grade positions and incorporate them into a robust three-dimensional model.”

In addition to the channel sampling, Nelson completed 8 short mud rotary holes during rehabilitation to constrain the orientation of the principal Orleans vein fault and assess remnant mineralisation immediately adjacent to existing workings.

The company noted that sample recoveries averaged approximately 50% because of the drilling method and ground conditions, and stated that the reported grades should be treated as indicative only.

Rehabilitation of the upper levels at Orleans has been completed and metallurgical testwork is underway.

The company expects core drilling equipment to be mobilised to site imminently and plans to complete up to 15 underground diamond core holes to test extensions of the Orleans vein up to approximately 40m beyond existing workings, evaluate remnant mineralisation adjacent to historic stopes and test the approximately 70m up dip interval between the 300 foot and 150 foot levels.

The company also plans to continue incorporating assay results, geological observations, drill information and underground survey data into its mine scale 3D geological model while progressing rehabilitation planning at the Great Western Mine.

According to the announcement, this work is intended to refine priority targets at Orleans and support drill targeting at Great Western.