West Coast Silver (ASX: WCE) is set to commence an expanded Phase 2 drilling campaign at its highly prospective Elizabeth Hill silver project in Western Australia, signaling a significant step forward in unlocking the asset’s considerable potential. The company has appointed Perth-based Wallis Drilling to undertake the extensive exploration program, which will involve up to 4,000 meters of diamond and aircore drilling. This initiative aims to meticulously test near-surface mineralization, explore for potential depth extensions of known lodes, and identify new mineralization zones through strategic step-out drilling. The news signifies a renewed focus on this historically rich project, following earlier drilling success that yielded exceptional high-grade silver intercepts.
A Gem of Australian Silver Mining History
The Elizabeth Hill project holds a distinguished place in Australia’s mining legacy, recognized as one of the nation’s highest-grade silver deposits. The project boasts a proven production history, having yielded approximately 1.2 million ounces of silver between 1998 and 2000. This substantial output was achieved from a relatively modest 16,830 tonnes of ore, resulting in an extraordinary head grade of 2,194 grams per tonne (g/t) of silver. Mining operations at Elizabeth Hill were ultimately curtailed not due to a lack of resources, but as a direct consequence of prevailing low commodity prices at the time, specifically a silver price around US$5 per ounce. The historical processing methods were notably simple, utilizing low-cost gravity separation to recover native silver, underscoring the project’s inherent high-grade nature and processing efficiency.
Building on Recent Successes
This expanded Phase 2 campaign is a direct progression from the encouraging results of West Coast Silver’s initial drilling program. The maiden 12-hole, 1,183-meter diamond drilling program delivered compelling high-grade silver intercepts from surface. Notable results included 6 meters at 316 g/t silver from 44 meters, which contained a spectacular interval of 1.4 meters at 1,007 g/t from 45 meters. Other significant intercepts from this initial phase were 21 meters at 50 g/t silver from 20 meters, and 3.4 meters at 219 g/t silver from 63 meters. These findings have built upon even more outstanding near-surface assays previously reported in August, which included a phenomenal 1-meter interval grading 15,071 g/t silver from a depth of 27 meters, alongside other strong results like 21 meters at 1,047 g/t from 10 meters. The geological interpretation points to the primary control on mineralization being the intersection of the Munni Munni fault with the granite-ultramafic rock contact, a setting known for hosting significant deposits.
Strategic Drilling and Future Outlook
West Coast Silver’s executive chair, Bruce Garlick, expressed optimism about the upcoming campaign, stating his hope that the Phase 2 drilling will enhance the company’s confidence in Elizabeth Hill’s potential. The company believes that substantial untapped potential remains, with the deposit open at depth and recent consolidation of the project’s tenure providing opportunities for new discoveries. The exploration strategy is further supported by recent geophysical and geological data, including mapping of high-priority near-mine targets and planned drone magnetics surveys along the Munni Munni Fault. Discussions are also underway regarding the potential processing of Elizabeth Hill material at the nearby Radio Hill processing plant, which could streamline future development. The company has also recently undertaken corporate activities, including a $6 million placement, to bolster its financial position for these key exploration and development activities. This strategic push at Elizabeth Hill is part of a broader trend of increased exploration and renewed optimism within the Australian silver sector.
Wallis Drilling: An Experienced Partner
The appointment of Wallis Drilling signifies a partnership with a reputable and experienced Australian drilling services provider. Founded in 1965, Wallis Drilling is one of the country’s largest privately-owned minerals drilling companies, known for its innovative custom-designed rigs and commitment to quality and safety. Their extensive experience across various drilling techniques, including diamond and aircore, makes them a suitable partner for the varied objectives of the Elizabeth Hill Phase 2 campaign. Their track record includes long-standing contracts with major mining operations, underscoring their capability to manage large-scale exploration programs effectively.
The expansion of drilling at Elizabeth Hill underscores West Coast Silver’s strategy to aggressively explore and delineate what is considered one of Australia’s top tier, high-grade silver projects. With a robust historical foundation and promising new exploration results, the company is poised to advance the project through this critical Phase 2 campaign, with a view to enhancing its resource base and potentially recommencing production in a more favorable market environment.
