According to Mining News Pro - The ministry approved the Canadian company’s application for four additional prospecting rights that total 1,399 hectares and extend the northern boundary of Ikutahara proximal to historic workings at the Toge Hill, Asada Ridge, and Akebono prospects. The first two are new areas of significant quartz veining that were discovered last year.

“The discovery of the Toge and Asada prospects has significantly expanded the Kitano-o Gold District mineralisation further to the north. The acceptance of the four new prospecting rights applications gives us confidence that we have covered all prospective ground in the area,” John Proust, Japan Gold’s chairman and CEO, said in a media statement.

Prior to the new additions, the Ikutahara project occupied 19,114 hectares in the northern Japanese prefecture.

Japan Gold is now applying for drilling permits for some of the prospects.