Expanded drilling database strengthens technical basis for Kroonstad exploration target
Lexington Gold has significantly increased its subsurface data for the Kroonstad gold project, saying the number of primary drillholes incorporated into its database has risen from 12 to 64. The company reported 73 drill deflections have also been catalogued as it prepares for JORC-compliant exploration target estimation.
The miner said work on the JORC-aligned estimation is scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year. Harmonising historic information with new data is a central part of the process: JSE-listed Harmony Gold has granted Lexington access to a historic core area that may provide an additional verification opportunity for the company’s geological model.
“With 64 primary drillholes now incorporated into the database with 12 previously, we believe we have a substantially stronger technical foundation from which to define a robust JORC exploration target for our Kroonstad project,”— Dr Bernard Olivier, CEO, Lexington Gold (as reported).
What Lexington aims to achieve
Lexington’s current objective for the JORC exploration target is to substantially reduce uncertainty around earlier, non‑code-compliant estimates. The company said the programme seeks to increase a portion of Kroonstad’s previously reported independent grade‑tonnage range from an indicated scope of about 6 million to 62 million ounces of gold at grades of roughly 5 g/t to 11 g/t.
Environmental and geological consultant Shango has been engaged to undertake the modelling and estimation work needed to meet JORC standards. Shango’s mandate extends beyond simple digitisation and includes a series of steps designed to produce a traceable and auditable dataset.
- Historical data acquisition, capture and validation
- Borehole collar confirmation and internal QA/QC
- Final stratigraphic correlation and 3D geological/structural modelling using Leapfrog Geo
- Estimation of appropriate upper and lower tonnage and grade ranges and preparation of a JORC technical report
Shango has cautioned that the extent to which the historical range can be narrowed will only become clear once its geological modelling and estimation work are complete.
Local implications and next steps
For Kroonstad and the wider Free State, the expanded drilling dataset and the move towards JORC alignment represent steps that could influence future investment and development decisions around the deposit. A JORC-compliant exploration target is a necessary precursor for any subsequent resource declaration under recognised reporting standards and can affect permitting, community engagement and potential mine planning.
Lexington’s focus in the coming months will be on completing Shango’s work programme and compiling the technical report required to support a formal JORC exploration target announcement. Access to historic core held by Harmony Gold should assist verification and correlation of old and new data.
The company has emphasised that the expanded dataset is intended to improve constraints on mineralised volume and grade distribution at Kroonstad, strengthening the geological foundation for any future resource statements.
| Item | Current status |
|---|---|
| Primary drillholes in database | 64 (up from 12) |
| Drill deflections catalogued | 73 |
| Targeted grade range | ~5 g/t to 11 g/t |
| Estimated historic range cited | 6 million to 62 million ounces (non‑code‑compliant) |
Residents and local stakeholders in Kroonstad can expect further announcements when Lexington receives Shango’s completed modelling outputs and the JORC-aligned technical report is finalised. Until then, the work remains at the exploration and technical validation stage rather than at mine development or production planning.
