en.Wedoany.com Reported - West Coast Silver (ASX:WCE) has extended silver mineralization 70 meters northward in drilling at the Elizabeth Hill project near Karratha in Western Australia's Pilbara region, with most new discoveries located outside the current resource envelope, potentially exceeding the previously estimated 2.8 million ounces of silver resources.
In the 32-hole drilling program completed in May, the first 17 holes returned significant assay results, successfully extending the mineralization northward beyond the initial estimate of 2.8 million ounces of silver resources made in April 2026. Notable intercepts include: hole 26WCRC004 returned 60 meters at 25 g/t silver from surface, including 19 meters at 31 g/t silver; hole 26WCRC002 returned 26 meters at 31 g/t silver from 4 meters downhole, ending in mineralization; and hole 26WCRC003 returned 9 meters at 33 g/t silver from 6 meters, and 5 meters at 31 g/t silver from 26 meters. Most new discoveries lie outside the current resource boundary, expanding the scale of the mineralized system.
Hole 26WCRC010 also intersected up to 1.66% lead, consistent with the spatial association between lead and silver at Elizabeth Hill, potentially indicating higher-grade silver mineralization further north along the Moonyoonoona-Maitland Fault Zone (MMFZ). Assay results for another 15 holes are pending, including hole 26WCRC023, which intersected 72 meters of altered MMFZ. Diamond drilling is underway to test below RC holes that ended in mineralization. Meanwhile, economic studies on near-surface mineralization are progressing to support development pathway assessments.
Executive Chairman Bruce Garlick stated that the drilling program encountered broad, near-surface silver mineralization zones up to 60 meters thick, confirming mineralization 70 meters north of the resource. The mineralization extends beyond the current resource boundary, both northward and at depth, providing a clear basis for resource growth. He noted that the discovery of silver in granite is particularly exciting, opening up the system's potential, while the observed alteration patterns provide the team with tools to target higher-grade zones. Elizabeth Hill remains open to the north and at depth.
Holes 26WCRC001 to 26WCRC004, drilled on the same A-A' section, all returned broad mineralized intercepts, with width and grade increasing at depth, indicating continuity and extension of the resource beyond the current pit design. On the B-B' section, hole 26WCRC023 intersected 72 meters of altered MMFZ, supporting the continuity of the mineralized system along strike. Approximately 50 meters north on the C-C' section, two high-grade intercepts were also returned, including 1 meter at 157 g/t silver from surface (26WCRC011). WCE added that the lead intercept in hole 26WCRC010 is encouraging, as high-grade lead zones typically occur adjacent to high-grade silver zones, potentially indicating silver mineralization further north along the MMFZ, supported by reconnaissance air-core drilling that returned 0.5 meters at 61 g/t silver from 8 meters.
The company continues drilling to expand the scale of the Elizabeth Hill mineralized system, testing depth extensions below holes that ended in mineralization, infilling low-density areas to improve resource classification, and evaluating along-strike and near-mine extensions. Drilling will test the Maitland and Elizabeth Hill South targets. All geological and structural data from the 2025-26 drilling will be reviewed to plan follow-up drilling at Elizabeth Hill North and Elizabeth Hill South, as well as newly identified targets northwest of the project area. Surface and downhole geophysical surveys will generate new targets along the MMFZ, supporting further expansion and development during 2026. The company will conduct economic studies based on upgraded resource estimates for near-surface mineralization and design a regional exploration program to unlock the project's broader potential.
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