QMines is preparing to mobilise two rigs for an initial 36-hole drilling program at the Mount Mackenzie gold and silver project, about 140km north-west of Rockhampton.

The company has worked quickly to advance Mount Mackenzie since its acquisition in early July, delivering an open pit optimisation and a positive scoping level production target for the project.

It has a mineral resource estimate comprising 3.3 Mt at 1.4g/t gold and 8.4g/t silver for 151,000oz gold and 902,000oz silver.

“In my opinion, Mount Mackenzie represents one of the most exciting high-grade gold and silver drilling programs I have seen in a very long time,” QMines executive chairman Andrew Sparke said.

“The deposit has grade, it has width and remains completely open both down plunge and along strike.

“Historical drilling has already delivered spectacular results such as 8m at 69.4g/t gold, 26m at 12.8g/t gold, 12m at 14.9g/t gold and 100m at 2.86 g/t gold. These are the types of intersections that can transform a company.

“With two rigs mobilising to site, we are commencing another large drilling program designed to unlock this deposit’s true potential.

“Every hole we put into the ground has the potential to grow the resource base, extend mineralisation and generate the kind of results that capture the market’s attention. This is exactly the kind of program that can deliver real excitement for our shareholders.”