High-Grade Silver Discovery Signals Major Exploration Potential at Elizabeth Hill
West Coast Silver Limited (ASX: WCE) has reported exceptional silver assays from its recent fieldwork program at the Elizabeth Hill Silver Project in Western Australia, with results up to 490 g/t silver highlighting the potential for significant expansion of the known mineralisation footprint.
Record Silver Assays Point to Expanded Mineralisation Zones
The reconnaissance rock chip and float sampling program, which involved the collection of 115 samples, has delivered compelling evidence of silver mineralisation extending well beyond the historic high-grade silver discovery at Elizabeth Hill silver mine.
Key assay highlights include:
- 490 g/t Ag, 0.03 g/t Au, 0.17% Cu (sample 25EW06-062)
- 316 g/t Ag, 0.19 g/t Au, 0.11% Cu (sample 25EW06-057)
- 276 g/t Ag, 0.13 g/t Au, 0.14% Cu (sample 25EW06-063)
- 179 g/t Ag, 0.42% Cu (sample 25EW06-025)
- 178 g/t Ag, 0.1% Cu (sample 25EW06-064)
What makes these results particularly significant is their location – clustered in areas 200-500m north and approximately 200m south of the historic Elizabeth Hill mine. This distribution suggests the potential for additional mineralised source areas that may be related to the north-south trending Munni Munni fault system.
"We are very pleased with the results from reconnaissance sampling program at Elizabeth Hill. The high-grade silver results demonstrate the significant potential for expanding the known mineralisation footprint around the historic silver mine," commented Executive Chairman Bruce Garlick.
Systematic Exploration Program Underway
Following these encouraging results and building on its inaugural drilling campaign (which included an impressive intercept of 21 metres at 1,047g/t Ag from 10 metres in hole 25WCDD001), West Coast Silver has implemented a systematic approach to further explore Elizabeth Hill silver project and surrounding areas.
The company has already commenced:
- Trenching, mapping, and additional rock chip sampling at the site
- Near-mine and regional targeting works with prioritisation of targets (expected completion in 3-4 weeks)
- Development of follow-on drill campaigns including consideration for air core, reverse circulation, and additional diamond drilling
Understanding Silver Mineralisation: Why These Results Matter
Silver mineralisation at Elizabeth Hill occurs in a structurally controlled zone along the eastern boundary of the north-south trending Munni Munni Fault. The mineralised zone contains several pods within a quartz carbonate chalcedonic silica breccia showing veining.
What makes Elizabeth Hill particularly interesting is the form of the silver mineralisation – occurring as fine disseminations, needles, veins, nuggets, and platelets up to several centimetres in diameter. This type of native silver mineralisation can be particularly amenable to gravity separation techniques, potentially offering cost-effective processing options.
The Science Behind High-Grade Silver Deposits
High-grade silver deposits like Elizabeth Hill typically form under specific geological conditions. In this case, the mineralisation is associated with the Munni Munni Fault, which likely served as a pathway for metal-rich fluids. These hydrothermal solutions travelled through fractures in the host rock, depositing silver and other minerals as conditions changed.
The presence of native silver (silver in its elemental form) is particularly significant as it often indicates a high-purity deposit. The various forms in which silver appears at Elizabeth Hill – from fine disseminations to larger nuggets and platelets – suggest multiple mineralisation events or varying conditions during deposition.
The association with copper and gold, as seen in the recent assay results, is common in many silver deposits worldwide. These elements often travel together in hydrothermal systems and can provide valuable by-products in mining operations. In fact, similar geological settings have produced notable lithium gold discoveries elsewhere in Western Australia.
The Elizabeth Hill Project: Australia's High-Grade Silver Opportunity
Elizabeth Hill stands as one of Australia's high-grade silver projects with an impressive production history:
- Previous mining produced 1.2 million ounces of silver from just 16,830 tonnes of ore at an extraordinary head grade of 2,194 g/t Ag (70.5 oz/t)
- The historical mining operation ceased in 2000 due to low silver prices (US$5)
- Processing was simplistic, using low-cost gravity separation techniques to recover native silver
- Significant untapped potential remains with the deposit open at depth
The company's recent consolidation of surrounding land packages has created a contiguous 180km² tenement holding a significant portion of the Munni Munni fault system, which is considered prospective for additional Elizabeth Hill-style silver deposits.
Strategic Focus on Silver
In line with its strategy as a silver-focused explorer/developer, West Coast Silver has terminated its Lithium JV agreement with Alien Metals at the Pinderri Hills Project to maintain focus on its core silver assets.
This strategic decision reflects the company's confidence in the potential of the Elizabeth Hill Silver Project and its commitment to advancing high-grade silver exploration opportunities. Moreover, the company recognizes the importance of focused resource allocation, similar to how other exploration companies have prioritised historic drill samples to accelerate their discovery process.
Why Investors Should Watch West Coast Silver
West Coast Silver presents a compelling investment case based on several key factors:
-
Exceptional Grade Potential: The historic Elizabeth Hill mine produced silver at grades exceeding 2,000 g/t, and recent sampling confirms high-grade silver mineralisation extending beyond the known deposit.
-
Expanded Exploration Footprint: The company's 180km² consolidated land package covers a significant portion of the prospective Munni Munni fault system.
-
Simple Processing Potential: The native silver mineralisation at Elizabeth Hill was historically recovered via low-cost gravity separation.
-
Systematic Exploration Approach: The company is implementing a methodical exploration program with clear milestones and targets.
-
Tier 1 Mining Jurisdiction: Located in Western Australia with potential processing options at the nearby Radio Hill site.
With silver playing an increasingly important role in the green energy transition and industrial applications, West Coast Silver is positioning itself to capitalise on one of Australia's highest-grade silver opportunities at a time when demand for the precious metal continues to grow.
The high-grade silver discovery at West Coast Silver's Elizabeth Hill project represents not only an extension of the known mineralisation but potentially the beginning of a much larger silver system that could significantly enhance the project's value proposition for investors. Furthermore, while the company focuses on silver, it's worth noting the broader mineral exploration landscape includes increasing interest in uranium potential across several emerging projects in Australia.
Looking for the Next Major Silver Discovery?
Discover how to receive real-time alerts on significant ASX mineral discoveries like West Coast Silver's Elizabeth Hill project with Discovery Alert's proprietary Discovery IQ model, turning complex silver exploration data into actionable investment insights. Explore why major mineral discoveries can lead to significant market returns by visiting Discovery Alert's dedicated discoveries page, and begin your 30-day free trial today to position yourself ahead of the market.
