Northern Star Resources reported in November that drilling at its Paulsens gold mine in Western Australia had returned an intersection of 0.8 m grading 12,178 g/mt gold (12.7 kg/mt or 1.27%). The spectacular result was part of an overall diamond drill hole intersection of 5.6 m grading 1,713 g/mt. The results will form part of the maiden resource estimate for Paulsens’ Voyager 2 lode, which is scheduled for release next year.
In addition to the maiden resource estimate for Voyager 2, Northern Star is also preparing a resource upgrade on the Voyager 1 lode, which has supplied all the ore mined by the company at Paulsens to date. The upgraded Voyager 1 resource estimate will underpin a revised mine plan, including increased production, cash flow and mine life projections, for Paulsens. The new mine plan will play a pivotal role in Northern Star’s strategy to grow its annual gold production from 80,000 oz currently to 200,000 oz. About half of this total will flow from an expanded mill at Paulsens, with the rest being produced at the company’s Ashburton sulphide project. (www.nsrltd.com)
