Zenith Minerals has secured Program of Work approval to launch a new drilling campaign at its Dulcie Far North gold project, following a 40% resource increase. The company is also advancing development studies and exploring multiple new regional gold targets.
- Program of Work approval obtained for new drilling campaign
- Recent drilling increased inferred gold resource by 40% to 210,000 ounces
- New 32-hole RC and 5 diamond hole drilling program commencing
- Scoping Study underway to evaluate standalone development and toll treatment
- Multiple new gold targets identified for regional exploration
Strategic Advancement at Dulcie Far North
Zenith Minerals (ASX: ZNC) is pushing forward with its growth strategy at the Dulcie Far North (DFN) gold project in Western Australia, having secured Program of Work (POW) approval to commence a new drilling campaign. This move follows a recent drilling program that successfully expanded the inferred mineral resource by 40%, from 150,000 to 210,000 ounces of gold, underscoring the project's potential.
The upcoming campaign will include 32 Reverse Circulation (RC) holes and 5 diamond drill holes aimed at better classifying known mineralisation, testing footwall lodes, and exploring high-potential northern and down-dip extensions of the Dulcie Gold Trend shear zone. These efforts are designed to bolster geological confidence and provide critical data for ongoing development studies.
Dual-Track Development and Exploration Approach
Zenith is executing a dual-track strategy: expanding the resource base through targeted exploration while simultaneously advancing a Scoping Study to assess potential production pathways. The study will evaluate both standalone mine development and toll treatment options, leveraging the project's proximity to existing infrastructure such as the Barto Gold Processing Plant at Marvel Loch.
Preparations for the drilling campaign are well underway, including site access, drill pad clearing, and detailed topographic surveys. Special operational measures have been implemented to mitigate extreme heat conditions, ensuring safety and efficiency for the drilling crews.
Exploration Upside and Regional Growth
Beyond the immediate drilling program, Zenith has identified multiple new gold targets within its 100%-owned Exploration Licences surrounding DFN. These targets emerged from a comprehensive review of historical surface sampling, drilling, and geophysical data. A surface sampling program is set to commence shortly to test these promising areas, which could significantly enhance the project's scale and resource base.
Additionally, Zenith is conducting due diligence on several surrounding gold projects to evaluate opportunities for regional consolidation. This approach aims to build the critical mass necessary for a standalone development at DFN, positioning the project as a potential long-term gold development hub within Zenith's portfolio.
Geological Context and Recent Drilling Highlights
The Dulcie Far North project is situated within the highly prospective Yilgarn Craton, featuring a deeply weathered lateritic profile over Archaean bedrock. The mineralisation is structurally controlled along the Dulcie Gold Trend shear zone, with multiple stacked gold lodes confirmed by recent drilling.
Notable intersections from previous drilling include 10 meters at 2.00 g/t Au and 12 meters at 6.1 g/t Au, highlighting the high-grade nature of the deposit. The new drilling campaign aims to extend these zones and refine geological models to support resource estimation and mine planning.
Looking Ahead
Zenith Minerals is poised to deliver further updates as the new drilling campaign progresses and the Scoping Study incorporates fresh data. The company’s multi-faceted approach, combining resource expansion, regional exploration, and development evaluation, reinforces Dulcie Far North’s status as a cornerstone asset with significant growth potential.
Bottom Line?
Zenith’s next drilling results and Scoping Study outcomes will be pivotal in defining Dulcie Far North’s path to production.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the new drilling campaign confirm extensions that significantly increase the resource base?
- How will the Scoping Study balance standalone development versus toll treatment options economically?
- What impact will regional consolidation have on the scale and viability of the Dulcie Far North project?