North Stawell Minerals Uncovers New Gold Zones at Darlington West
North Stawell Minerals has reported promising drill results from its first hole at Darlington West, revealing new Stawell-type gold mineralisation and validating its predictive modelling approach.
- First drill hole NSD058 tests previously undrilled basalt target
- Multiple anomalous gold intercepts including 6.01 g/t Au over 0.5m
- Mineralisation associated with basalt contacts typical of Stawell-style deposits
- Results confirm predictive geophysics and numerical modelling
- Target remains open along strike and at depth, prompting further drilling
Exploration Breakthrough at Darlington West
North Stawell Minerals (ASX:NSM) has announced encouraging results from its maiden diamond drill hole NSD058 at the Darlington West target, located just 6 kilometres north of the historic Stawell Gold Mine in Victoria. This hole represents the first test of a geophysics and numerical modelling-derived basalt target, a key component in the company’s strategy to identify new Stawell-type gold mineralisation beneath shallow cover.
The drill hole intersected multiple zones of anomalous gold mineralisation, including a standout 0.5 metre interval grading 6.01 grams per tonne (g/t) gold at the lower contact of foliated basalt. Additional intercepts include a 16-metre zone with lower-grade gold and a 45-metre anomalous zone featuring quartz-carbonate veining and carbonaceous sediments, all hallmark features of Stawell-style deposits.
Validation of Predictive Modelling
These results are significant because they validate North Stawell Minerals’ predictive modelling techniques, which integrate high-resolution gravity data and 3D geophysical inversions to pinpoint likely mineralised basalt contacts. The presence of fine-grained, needle-like arsenopyrite within the mineralised zones further supports the interpretation that the mineralisation is consistent with the well-known Stawell Gold Mine style.
Executive Director Campbell Olsen highlighted the importance of this first-hole success, noting that it confirms the company’s approach to targeting and suggests that other similarly modelled targets within the extensive 504 square kilometre tenement package may also host gold mineralisation. The Darlington West target remains open in all directions, offering a compelling opportunity for further discovery.
Strategic Implications and Next Steps
Darlington West lies within a highly prospective gold corridor stretching from Stawell northwards through several key trends, including the Browns Trend and Wildwood. The discovery of mineralisation at a previously undrilled basalt contact not only expands the geological footprint of Stawell-type mineralisation but also demonstrates the effectiveness of combining geophysics with numerical modelling to reduce exploration risk and cost.
North Stawell Minerals plans to follow up with additional drilling to test the lateral and depth extensions of the mineralised system. Surface geochemistry reviews are also underway to determine if the mineralisation signature extends to surface, which would aid in refining drill targets. The company’s ongoing exploration program aims to build on this momentum and potentially delineate a new multi-million-ounce gold deposit analogous to the nearby Stawell Gold Mine.
Bottom Line?
Darlington West’s first drill hole success sets the stage for a promising exploration campaign that could reshape North Stawell Minerals’ growth trajectory.
Questions in the middle?
- How extensive is the mineralisation along strike and at depth beyond NSD058?
- Will follow-up drilling confirm higher-grade zones suitable for resource definition?
- How will surface geochemistry data influence the targeting of future drill holes?
