How do you read a mining drill result?

A drill result is usually reported as: hole ID, from–to depth (metres), interval width, and grade for each metal. For example "DDH-21: 42.0–58.5 m, 16.5 m at 3.2 g/t gold." Four things to check:

• Width and grade together. Multiply them (gram-metres) to compare hits. A long intercept at modest grade can outweigh a short, high-grade one.
• True width vs core length. The reported metres are measured down the drill core. If the hole cut the zone obliquely, true width is narrower than reported.
• Cut-off grade. Companies choose the cut-off used to define an interval; a low cut-off can pad width with marginal material.
• Context. Is this a discovery hole or a step-out near known mineralisation? Is the deposit type consistent with the numbers?

Treat any single hole as one data point. Continuity across multiple holes — not one spectacular intercept — is what builds a deposit.