DRILLING by Myanmar Metals at the Bawdwin Lead-Zinc-Silver-Copper Project in Myanmar has highlighted the potential for the project to be redeveloped as a large-scale mining operation. The company says the forthcoming mineral resource estimate and scoping study will further assess this potential.

The shallow open pit at the historic Bawdwin polymetallic mine in Myanmar.

The company has received and reviewed all results from a drilling and channel sampling program carried out from November 2016 to July 2017.

The program was completed by Australian-led, Myanmar-based geological services company Valentis Services Limited for Win Myint Mo Industries Co, the Myanmar company that holds the 38sqkm mining concession over the project.

The drilling program totalled 21 holes for 2956.6 metres and was supported by channel sampling in the shallow open pit. Mineralisation was confirmed outside the known high-grade lodes that supported the historic mine, extending to surface in the open pit.

One hole returned three strong intersections – 25.3 metres from 56.5 metres @ 9.5% lead, 2.5% zinc and 189 g/t silver; 2.2 metres from 86.8 metres @ 2.3% copper, 121 g/t silver, 1.07% nickel and 0.42% cobalt; and 17 metres from 104 metres @ 15.4% lead, 5.7% zinc, 319 g/t silver, 0.9% copper, 0.15% nickel and 0.39% cobalt.

Other results are: 6.6 metres from 81.6 metres @ 2.4% copper, 1.8% lead, 123 g/t silver, 0.56% nickel and 0.,25% cobalt; 10.3 metres from 50.6 metres @ 20.5% lead, 2.2% zinc, 0.5% copper, 540 g/t silver, 0.12% nickel and 0.28% cobalt; 30.5 metres from 102.5 metres @ 11.5% lead, 7.5% zinc and 291 g/t silver; 10.8 metres from 51.5 metres @ 9.9% lead, 16.9% zinc and 251 g/t silver; and 11 metres from 227.7 metres @ 12% lead, 4.5% zinc and 299 g/t silver.

Channel sample results include 8 metres from 3.7 metres @ 5% lead, 15.9% zinc and 180 g/t silver; 8 metres from 8.5 metres @ 19.5% lead, 4.7% zinc, 0.4% copper and 293 g/t silver; and 25 metres from 22 metres @ 16.3% lead, 14.6% zinc, 0.3% copper and 560 g/t silver.

Myanmar Metals expects first-phase due diligence work to be completed in October. The work includes a scoping study to assess the technical viability and infrastructure requirements of the proposed mine and a preliminary assessment of the underground exploration potential.