Australian-American Mining Corp has signed a drilling contract with National EWP, a leading provider of drilling services in the USA, for the Bluebell copper-gold-silver project in Arizona. The initial 5,000 m RC drilling program at Bluebell will focus on testing the open pit exploration target, with holes targeting the top 200 m of the mineralised system. A number of holes will also be targeting the down dip extension of the recently reported high grade surface intersection of 38 m @ 1.2% Cu, 0.5g/t Au and 22.9g/t Ag. The company has received all necessary permits to begin drill pad preparation and it is expected that the drill rig will be on site in late January.

AusAmerican managing director Richard Holmes said: “This is an exciting time for the company as it prepares for the maiden drilling program on the Bluebell project. The recent high grade surface intersection has reinforced the concept that the old timers ‘high graded’ the underground mine and the drilling will be focussed on defining the mineralised stockwork”.

National offers diamond core, dual-tube, air/mud and flooded reverse drilling methods. It is licensed to drill in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. The company has field offices and teams that provide round-the-clock rig support.