Aim-listed Galileo Resources will continue with a drilling programme at its 85%-owned Zambia-based Star Zinc project, after a positive study of the project was completed by Earthmaps Consulting.

The company said on Monday that the interpretation of historical gravity geophysics data indicated good correlation of the geophysics gravity anomalies with drill-intersected zinc mineralisation (DZM) on Star Zinc.

“The re-modelling and interpretation of the drillhole data from our recent drilling programme against historical ground geophyics data demonstrates good correlation with known zinc mineralisation at Star Zinc.

“We will use this modelling data to target new boreholes in our forthcoming second drilling programme,” CEO Colin Bird said in a statement.

Borehole positions were presented to test gravity highs to the west, northeast and southeast of the DZM for additional zinc mineralisation and closer spaced ground gravity geophysics were being considered to target resource extension drilling.

Along three drill sections where zinc ore has been intersected, the gravity anomalies reflect the ore distribution well. This gives encouragement to use gravity as one of the tools to target additional zinc mineralisation in the area, the company noted.

Along the three drill sections that were modelled, the gravity data does not indicate any significant drill targets below the depths drilled to date.

“That said, the gravity data inside the historic openpit is not very reliable owing to topographic noise and drilling in the pit itself may well be warranted on grounds other than the gravity signature.”

Five borehole positions were presented to test gravity highs to the west, northeast and southeast of mineralised domain for zinc mineralisation, with the recommendation to drill these boreholes first and re-assess the results, before embarking on further exploration based on gravity.