Just over a week after the Indonesian Government granted its approval in a milestone decision, the first-ever drill rig to enter Woyla has been fired up and drilling has begun at the highly prospective copper-gold project.

It is the first time in the 25-year history of the Woyla project – a sixth-generation contract of work previously explored by giants Barrick Gold and Newcrest – that drilling has been able to occur.

A second drill rig is now also being deployed to the site, announced junior explorer Far East Gold (ASX: FEG), with plans for both drills to operate in tandem to complete Phase 1 of the diamond drilling program at the Anak Perak prospect.

Phase 1 is a 2,560m 18-hole program that will test the AP Main Zone vein system along 900m of strike length, with drill sites at 100m-150m spacing and will test the vein at 50m and 100m vertical depth. Its objective is to demonstrate resource potential within the AP Main Zone area.

Phase 2 is an expanded 2,440m 16-hole program that will test an additional 800m of AP vein strike length.

Upon completion of these drill programs, it is Far East Gold’s intention to progress to a program of resource definition drilling using multiple drill rigs.

The commencement of drilling on-site is a significant milestone that further de-risks the project, the company said.

It also enables Far East Gold to proceed with its near-term plans to carry out advanced exploration activities on the Anak Perak and Rek Rinti prospects and to progress towards a maiden JORC resource estimate for the project.

Further to the drilling, the Induced Polarisation (IP) survey works being carried out with the Geological Agency of the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources at the Anak Perak prospect’s 4,700m-long epithermal vein system has completed its current phase.

Meanwhile, IP survey works began last week at the Rek Rinti prospect vein system, which will be used to further refine Far East Gold’s planned drill program.

The junior explorer – which ranks the 24,260ha Woyla project as “one of the best undrilled prospects in South-East Asia” – has also announced the completion of significant upgrades to Woyla’s base camp at Anak Perak.

The base camp now has facilities and accommodation for more than 70 staff on-site and has all required infrastructure to carry out the company’s planned Phase 1 and 2 drill programs.

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Sources

• • ASX Announcement, Woyla Project Update