So disabase1 talked about allocating a couple of drills to the Queensway South which I think would be an awesome idea but I'm not sure they are ready to drill down there yet. So I was in for a look recently and did a count on the drills and get a feel for the activity going on and I can tell you that these NFG guys have really stepped up work at the site. I have noticed some changes so I'll try and explain it as best I can. Now keep in mind that exploration work is a dynamic situation so the location of drills can change from one day to the next so just because they are drilling in a particular area doesn't mean they hit anything significant because it is exploration work.
So here is my drill count but of course I could of missed one tucked away in the bushes somewhere but they are making it easier for me out there. They have got the roads all named now and the rigs are all numbered. Honestly I could not believe what I was seeing because it's almost like a small town out there now with streets and stop signs and the prospects are even named with nice big signs. The Dome showing, the Lotto Road and so on. The Golden Valley name is my favourite name so far. So Somebody has been busy out there and I was very impressed. The roads are not paved yet and no traffic lights but it wouldn't surprise me to see that next. I can leave the truck at home next time and take the pedal bike. Lol
Ok so there was 3 drills on the Keats Zone and this has been like this for months and months now and has never changed on any of my several visits. Two on the far southern end of the zone and one on the far northern end about 600 meters away. What has changed to my surprise is that all 3 drills have moved back about 100 meters further from the Appleton Fault away towards the south. I'm using the two long narrow ponds as my guide for the Appleton fault line. So I would say these 3 drills could be at least 500 meters from the Fault on the southern side the furthest from the fault on any of my visits to the site. You can easily see these drills from the highway when you drive by. You can also see a drill from the highway on the Golden Joint now for the first time but I'll get to that in a moment. On the other side of the narrow ponds or the northern side of the fault there is now a drill for the first time drilling back towards the fault. So it is on the other side of the fault opposite dead center from the Keats Zone on the other side of the long linear pond. This was marked drill #7 (Rally Drilling). So this is the first time I have seen a drill located on the other side of the Appleton Fault in any of my visits. So that was an important take away for me to see them Drilling on the other side of the fault. Perhaps they are thinking there are more high grade zones on the other side. Wouldn't that be something. It could be because the Big Vein on LAB's Kingsway property was on the other side of the Appleton Fault. Important observation because NFG could be starting to focus elsewhere on the other side of the fault getting more aggressive with the exploration work.
Ok so the Golden Joint Zone. I was very happy to see two drills there and you can actually see one from the highway because it is up on the hill now further from the Appleton fault about 100 meters further from my last visit about a month ago before I knew what it was called. Lol So this Zone is now getting cleared off from trees but the terrain on this zone is a little more challenging with hills and much steeper than that of the Keats. The Keats Zone has a gentle slope to it but there are hills on the Golden Joint making drilling a little more challenging. So there are two drills on the Golden Joint Zone.
And I was over on the Lotto Zone and it's busy as usual over there with one drill with little change from my last visit. The Dome Showing (original discovery made by Al Keats about 25 years ago) is clearly marked for the first time and you can drive to it but no drills here yet.
There is still one drill at the JPB Fault miles away near between H Pond and Pocket Pond. with little change over there. Seems to be a make work project over there so I'm thinking they aren't impressed with what they are seeing over there but hey who knows for sure but I wouldn't bet any big money on the JPB Fault giving us high grade zones like what they are seeing coming off from the Appleton Fault. This my opinion only based on activity that I'm seeing on the ground. If anything changes I will update you guys. But it is clear to me that the Appleton Fault is where all the focus has been and will continue to be. Probably stating the obvious here but hey things can change quickly with exploration work. It is a very dynamic situation.
So the rig count based on my visit.
Keats Zone 3
Opposite side of Keats 1
Golden Joint 2
Lotto 1
JBP Fault 1
So that is only 8 drills that I counted. So where are the other two? I didn't see any broke down. Sometimes with that many drills there could be one getting work on it with a welder working his magic. So that is 8 drills turning so I'm missing two. I'm going back out for another look to confirm this but perhaps they have been moved down on the Queensway South??? Fingers crossed. Or perhaps they loaned them out to another company to pop a few holes for them. I just do not know so I'm only speculating.
So there you have it from the Golden Valley near Appleton. All is well with 8 drills turning with two unaccounted for. Lol. Most activity yet based on my observations. I will find those two missing drills so don't worry megacopper is on the hunt. Lol My eyes aren't so good as they use to be so perhaps I missed a couple hiding behind a hill or in the trees. But I have to thank the NFG team because they are making it easier for me with the signs. They even have the drills marked with Rally Drilling #7 Rig on the other side of the fault across from the Keats Zone and New Valley Drilling with their bread and butter operation on the Keats Zone. Nice touch guys with all the signs. I really appreciate it. Thanks for that. Not that I needed it but it does make it easier. So where are those two other drills? Hmmm