Rockfire Resources, the AIM-listed base metal, critical mineral and precious metal explorer, said diamond drilling has resumed on schedule at its 100%-owned Molaoi zinc deposit in Greece following the summer break.
Hole HMO-021 is currently in progress.
Preliminary comminution test work from SLR Consulting classifies the Molaoi ore as "Medium-Hard", with a Drop Weight Index of 8.66 kWh/t.
That figure sits comfortably within the 6 kWh/t to 12 kWh/t range typically drawn by Semi-Autogenous Grinding (SAG) mills, which Rockfire is weighing against conventional ball mills for the project's processing flowsheet.
SAG mills grind ore through self-impact rather than steel balls, giving them materially lower operating costs, a distinction that matters for the deposit's eventual feasibility economics.
David Price, chief executive of Rockfire, said the test results feed directly into the flowsheet design expected to underpin feasibility parameters.
Separately, Epiroc has told Rockfire that delivery of the company's own drilling rig has slipped slightly, with arrival in Athens now expected at the end of October or early November.
Rockfire has begun interviewing experienced drillers for its Hellenic Minerals S.A. subsidiary and is making progress securing drilling assistants ahead of the rig's arrival.
Molaoi carries a JORC Inferred Resource of 15.0 million tonnes grading 7.26% zinc, 1.75% lead and 39.50 g/t silver, equivalent to 1.5 million tonnes of zinc equivalent metal.
