The deposit was discovered at the Ridge prospect, with shallow dipping mineralisation defined over a 225 metre strike length.

This includes intercepts of 13 metres at 3.81 grams a tonne, eight metres at 4.14 grams a tonne and five metres at 3.81 grams a tonne.

Middle Island managing director Rick Yeates said the new Shillington results were likely to lead to an increase in mineral resources.

“Despite the absence of significant new reverse circulation (RC) drilling results from the Ridge prospect, geological mapping and outstanding drilling results derived from the cluster of (banded iron formation-hosted) deposits in this area are a clear highlight of the drilling campaign to date,” he added.

“An understanding of drilling results in the context of a revised geology model, suggests the resource potential of this deposit cluster could ultimately be very significant.”

Middle Island will dedicate a substantial portion of the planned phase two RC and diamond drilling to this area. The phase two program is set for an expansion and commencement this week.

“What will almost certainly prove to be an extremely exciting and expanded phase two RC drilling program is scheduled to commence late (this) week, and I look forward to sharing the details, progress and results of this program with you during June and July,” Yeates concluded.

The phase one drilling represents the second of four planned programs that cover a combined 17,300 metres of exploration and resource definition drilling.