TSX-V-listed Aton Resources says it is “delighted” with the “exceptional results” from the eastern extension of the Semna main vein zone (MVZ) from the recent reverse circulation percussion (RC) drilling at the Semna prospect, located within its 100%-owned Abu Marawat Concession, in the Eastern Desert of Egypt.

The results demonstrate the potential of Semna to develop into a significant new drill discovery for the company, interim CEO Tonno Vahk says.

Twenty-one holes were drilled at the Semna prospect, for a total of 3 662 m, during the recently completed RC drilling programme.

Preliminary drill results of 4 m composite sampling of the final four holes, SMP-017 to SMP-020, are now available.

Three of the final four holes, targeting a potential eastern extension of the MVZ intersected significant zones of gold mineralisation, assaying higher than 5 g/t gold.

The holes confirm the existence of blind and previously unrecognised high-grade mineralisation to the east of the historically exploited Semna MVZ, buried beneath alluvial wadi sediments, about 10 m in thickness.

The best drill intersection of the entire programme was returned from the easternmost hole, SMP-018, indicating the mineralisation remains open to the east.

The final four holes of the programme have doubled the strike length of the drilled mineralisation on the Semna MVZ, which remains fully open at depth and along strike to both the east and the west.

“During the twentieth-century period of gold mining in Egypt, the Semna mine was regarded as one of the most significant and prospective by the British mining syndicates working there, and the high grades from our first phase of RC drilling appear to confirm anecdotal evidence suggesting the existence of very high to bonanza grade mineralisation at Semna.

“We are particularly encouraged by the results from these last four holes that have effectively doubled the strike length of the known mineralisation on the MVZ. We believe that the blind mineralisation drilled in these holes was not previously identified or exploited as it is covered by alluvial wadi sediments, and it is likely that the high-grade mineralisation sub-crops under this thin veneer of alluvial cover, which is very encouraging,” Vahk outlines.

“Our application for the mining licence at Abu Marawat, based on the Hamama and Rodruin openpit mine and heap leach oxide projects, is proceeding in accordance with the terms of our concession agreement, and we expect to be able to provide a positive update on this soon.

“It is our intention to fast-track ongoing exploration of the Semna project and to start a follow-up second phase of diamond drilling in early 2024,” he adds.