The programme consisted of 18,037m in 368 diamond drill holes on the main gold-bearing San Albino zone and 5,947m in 147 holes on the Arras zone. These are the areas outlined by the West, Central, Southwest and Northeast pits in the April 2015 San Albino preliminary economic assessment. Drilling highlights included 1.8m grading 69.99 grams per tonne gold and 104.3g/t silver.
The objectives of the drilling were to determine the continuity of the San Albino zone and extensions along strike and down dip, confirm other mineralised zones such as Arras, determine the grade and extent of historical dump material and compile data to update the PEA resource estimate. Drilling extended the San Albino zone along strike to the southwest, by 100m.
"Now that close-spaced drilling has confirmed our revised geologic model, the update of the resource estimate will serve as the basis for the proposed 500 tonne per day mine plan at San Albino," said CEO Akiba Leisman.
Mako is building a mine at San Albino which is due to commence production before year end.
Shares in Mako Mining are trading at C45c, valuing the company at $263 million.