Base metals producer Red River Resources has started a 5000m drill program at the Liontown project within its Thalanga operations, 
south-west of Charters Towers.

The Liontown project is Red River’s largest mineral resource at Thalanga, estimated at 3.6Mt at 10 per cent zinc.

The company presently mines from the West 45 deposit at Thalanga and is developing its Far West project, with first production ore scheduled for the third quarter of this year.

The company said it planned to complete a 22-hole (5000m) diamond drilling program at the Liontown project over the next six months to increase resource confidence in potential mining areas, test for extensions and provide samples for a metallurgical testwork.

Drilling will also assess the anticipated decline area.

“Our upcoming program at Liontown will provide us with a greater understanding of the deposit and its suitability as part of future production to extend the life of our Thalanga operations,” Red River Resources managing director Mel Palancian said.

“The program is expected to take at least six months to complete and we will announce results from the program as they become available through the second half of the year.”