ASIAMET Resources expects that a resource definition drilling program at the Beruang Kanan Main (BKM) project will lead to an increase in copper resources. BKM is part of the company’s KSK Contract of Work area with an updated estimate due in May.

The Beruang Kanan Main deposit is part of Asiamet Resources KSK CoW area in Central Kalimantan.

The diamond core drilling has formed part of BKM feasibility study work and after the success of the program of 112 holes for 11,500 metres, Asiamet extended it to about 12,500 metres with the final 1000 metres expected to be complete by the end of April.

The drilling intersected thick intervals of moderate to high-grade copper mineralisation, and successfully established continuity and closed gaps in the previous resource model.

New copper mineralisation intersected in two drill holes is outside the current BKM resource envelope and located between the BK044 and BK058 zones while a metallurgy hole drilled within BK044 Zone intersected a broad zone of high grade copper, with individual samples assaying up to 13% copper.

Better results include: 82 metres from 15.5 metres @ 0.79% copper, including 13 metres from 34.5 metres @ 2.24%, 3 metres from 37.5 metres @ 3.36% and 1 metre from 45.5 metres @ 13%; 26.4 metres from 8.6 metres @ 0.78%, including 2 metres from 21 metres @ 1.96% and 1 metre from 32 metres @ 8.31%; 12 metres from 187 metres @ 0.95%, including 2 metres from 27 metres @ 1.96%, and 32 metres from 35 metres @ 0.8%, including 13 metres from 47 metres @ 1.25%; 57 metres from 7 metres @ 0.60%, including 6 metres from 38 metres @ 1.62%; and 44 metres from 1 metre @ 0.57%.

CEO Peter Bird said, “Asiamet is pleased to report another set of excellent results from its feasibility study resource evaluation drilling program. Results have met or exceeded our expectations in respect of both grade and continuity.

“While the program has been very much focused on resource definition, some extension areas requiring further evaluation have also been identified for future follow up.”

Early phase feasibility studies into the project’s engineering and design aspects have returned positive results. Peter Bird said the results in conjunction with the resource definition work and metallurgical test work enhance the potential for developing a high quality medium scale copper mine at BKM.