Glass half full version of the announcement is that what they are seeing was expected as said. Implication that there is at least occasional Cu veining and alteration along the lines of this schematic. Nothing spectacular but a positive sign if that is the case.
The plan view of the Mongoose deeps hole:
EPM28972 is under application therefore the drilling cannot be done at this time. If warranted, they could extend after the tenement is granted.
The horizontal trace is 360m. Assuming that represents the vertical projection of the hole gives a constant dip of around -75 degrees [Collar around -80 degrees??]. In practice holes are seldom perfectly straight, hence the need to constantly monitor for deviation as mentioned by at least one other poster, and RK.
The comment about minimal delays suggests deviation has not been a major issue requiring directional control (Navi drilling?).
To be at 950m is something the drillers are likely to be happy with in this relatively short period. As would be the company.
Proceeding deeper usually comes with a gradual reduction in daily production [reflected in contract price per meter on a depth basis].
Takes longer to bring up a core tube, trip out to replace a bit and probably many things the lay person wouldn't imagine.
Extrapolating the drilling rate seen in this hole to other areas is not a great idea IMO [
@inkblot]. Different drillers, rigs, ground, etc etc. Could be better or worse or the same.....
Registered a post about vertical drilling vs inclined being problematic. Surface Diamond drilling in exploration is usually done between (rarely-45) -60 to -80+- degree dips with no special issues I am aware of.
Vertical holes require very careful surveying techniques in my limited experience. [Because of a property boundary issues we had to drill a 700+-m vertical hole. We never knew where it ended up after it spiraled, and the survey gear was inadequate (c1970). Target was the extension of a 200m thick ultramafic body projected some 70m along strike - we missed it!! Puzzled me ever since.]
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Thanks for the videos
@Dazed&confusedThe one with Nick Oliver (NO) mentions that drilling mag anomalies in the EH area is (paraphrasing) likely to be statistically unproductive. Finding an undrilled mag anomaly sounds like a difficult task.
RNX have certainly found one and suspect even NO would say it warrants testing even if the stats of success are not great.
