The 2019 programme began in April and is expected to continue throughout the rest of the year. With three drill rigs on site, the first eight holes were part of an infill drilling programme to bring drill-hole density to about 25m-by-25m spacing with the aim of producing a mineral resource estimate at the end of 2019.

The holes intercepted silver mineralisation similar to intercepts reported from the 2018 drilling programme. Highlights included 144.2m grading 169 grams per tonne of silver from 65.22m to 209.44m. Silver mineralisation at Silver Sand locally contains significant amounts of indium and gallium.

In addition to the infill drilling targets, the 2019 drilling programme will also target prospects with good silver grades from historical artisanal mining dumps to expand the mineralised zones, prospects surrounding Silver Sand showing similar silver mineralisation as revealed by historical artisanal mining and drilling for samples for further metallurgical test work. 

Shares in New Pacific Metals (TSXV:NUAG) are trading at C$2.20, valuing the company at $292 million. Its share price has increased 52% so far this year.