The 2019-20 drilling programme at Arras is focused on identifying shallow mineralisation to augment the initial mining phase at the West pit, with Mako drilling shallow holes every 20m along strike and 20-40m down dip. The results indicate a zone of about 80m along strike by 100m down dip with grades and thickness that are variable within the zone.

"Iit is rare in modern gold mining to intersect more than 30g/t over four meters estimated true width and only a couple of meters from surface. It is encouraging to see positive results from drilling in the Arras zone because the zone is not as well advanced as the zones within the West pit, where the bulk of the infill programme was focused last year and where initial mining has recommenced," said CEO Akiba Leisman. 

Mining at West pit has recommenced after a six-week pause to implement safety protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mining is expected to ramp up over the next few months. The drilling results from Arras have the potential to improve San Albino by bringing in high-grade and near surface ounces into the mine plan earlier than anticipated.

Mako is building an initial 500 tonnes per day operation and aims to produce some 41,300 ounces per year.

To date, 5,492m of drilling in 134 diamond drill holes have been completed within the Arras zone, an area outlined by the Central and Northeast pits in the San Albino preliminary economic assessment. A diamond drill rig along with a production drill rig will continue to identify additional shallow mineralisation and to quantify historic dumps. Results are pending from 103 holes in the Arras zone.

San Albino has an in-pit indicated resource of 656,000 tonnes grading 7.13g/t gold and 12.7g/t silver for 150,400oz contained gold and 267,700oz silver, and an inferred in-pit resource of 880,000t grading 6.78g/t gold and 10.4g/t silver for 192,000koz contained gold and 293,300oz silver

Shares in Mako Mining are trading at C41c, valuing the company at $225 million.