The latest highlights included 2.71m at 98.9g/t gold from 124.02m in the Habanero zone and Wallbridge said visible gold had been observed in 45 of the 69 holes drilled in the programme so far.

The company has been attracting strong interest of late, with its share price soaring in recent weeks as it gained a further multimillion-dollar investment from Eric Sprott and reported strong drilling results.
 
Its underground drilling to date from the 5213 level has mainly targeted high-grade shoots down to the 5130 level, the lowest level expected to be developed during the 2018 bulk sample programme, which is forecast to produce up to 26,000 ounces of gold from ore grading between 18-25g/t.

Wallbridge said the first bulk sample batch had included material from its first stope, and low-grade material left behind on surface and underground from a previous operator's 2004 bulk sampling programme.

"Our focus during this bulk sample testing is to determine the best mining method, the best mining practices, and the best processing approach to maximise recoveries," president and CEO Marz Kord said.

A 2017 pre-feasibility study put initial capex at C$5.24 million (US$4 million) and post-tax IRR at 60%, for an initial 18-month mine life focused on the top 100m of the deposit.

Wallbridge shares closed down C3c or just over 10% yesterday to 26.5c, capitalising it over $94 million.