Japan Gold has initiated a drilling programme at the Togi Project, located in the central-west part of Honshu Island on the Noto Peninsula covering the historic Togi goldfield in Japan.
The commencement of the first of two 500m drill-holes marks a significant step in exploring the Akasaka target, aiming to uncover strike extensions of the Mori vein along the prospective Mori Fault.
The Akasaka target, where drilling is currently focused, is part of the Togi Project, one of three priority projects under the Barrick Alliance.
Japan Gold said the drilling work seeks to extend the strike of the Mori vein, which is partially hidden by post-mineralisation cover, yet evidence such as sinter scree and gold-bearing quartz boulders suggests potential mineralised extensions, with gold grades reaching up to 79.7 grams per tonne.
Controlled Source Audio-frequency Magneto-Telluric (CSAMT) geophysics was used to identify resistivity features along a 2km section of the Akasaka target.
These features are believed to represent epithermal veins, which are the current targets of the drilling operation.
Japan Gold president and COO Fraser MacCorquodale said: “We are pleased to begin our inaugural drill campaign at Togi, located on the historic Togi goldfield on the Noto Peninsula of Japan's Honshu Island.
“We have been working closely with Barrick Gold technical advisors in designing this programme and we are looking forward to the results of the drilling campaign.”
Last month, Japan Gold said that Barrick Gold will focus efforts exclusively on exploration activities within the Japan Gold Barrick Alliance, focusing on the Togi, Hakuryu and Ebino Projects.
At that time, Barrick Gold exploration executive vice-president Joel Holliday said: “The Barrick Alliance in Japan has spent several years filtering through an extensive portfolio of exploration targets through fieldwork, geophysical surveys and drilling.
“The remaining targets have both the scale and surface indications of the type of system that would be of interest to Barrick, and we are excited to be able to test their potential with drilling.”
