W Resources has completed its drilling campaign at Régua in Northern Portugal.
The drilling programme has further defined high grade extensions to the north east (Holes RGD024 / RGD025) and in addition, a step out hole identified a significant new extension of the orebody to the north west (Hole RGD026A).
Five short holes drilled in the centre of the orebody clearly defined the initial open pit mining area with multiple levels of high grade tungsten mineralisation at surface or close to surface with limited cover.
The Régua drilling programme is now complete and results are being incorporated in to the updated resource model. Work continues on the resource update for Régua and La Parrilla and W expects to be able to provide an update on this by early Q4.
To progress the project, planning is advancing on an initial shallow open pit mine design as well as a second phase for a larger scale high grade underground operation. Following an update in the resource model optimal mine development plans will be designed in parallel with metallurgical and plant design work.
W Resources chairman Michael Masterman said: "The drilling campaign at Régua has been very successful, exceeding our initial expectations. Thick extensions to the ore body have been defined in both the north east and now the north west with the orebody remaining open at depth and in all directions. Significant continuous new potential has been identified in the north west.
"Drilling in the outcrop area where the initial open pit mine is planned has also been very successful with multiple high grade intersections with ore at surface."