Great Western Sharpens VHMS Targeting at Oval with Strongest Pathfinder Signature Yet
Great Western Exploration has reported its most compelling geochemical signature to date at the Oval Copper-Gold Target, setting the stage for a focused ground gravity survey to refine exploration for a major VHMS system.
- Strongest VHMS pathfinder geochemical signature identified at Oval
- No significant copper or gold grades yet, but elevated Pb-Zn-Bi-Te elements detected
- Oval and Oval South targets positioned on fertile Ida Fault with growth fault intersection
- Planned close-spaced ground gravity survey to enhance targeting precision
- Company holds $3.7 million cash to fund upcoming exploration activities
Context and Significance of Latest Drilling
Great Western Exploration (ASX: GTE) has unveiled assay results from its recent diamond drilling at the Oval Copper-Gold Target within the Yerrida North Project, located some 800 kilometres northeast of Perth. While the latest hole did not yield significant copper or gold grades, it revealed the strongest geochemical pathfinder signature for a Volcanic Hosted Massive Sulphide (VHMS) horizon recorded at Oval to date. This signature, characterised by elevated lead, zinc, bismuth, and tellurium levels, suggests a distal position relative to a potential copper-gold rich mineralisation core, akin to the nearby DeGrussa deposit.
Geological Setting and Exploration Strategy
The Oval and Oval South targets are strategically situated on the crustal-scale Ida Fault, intersected by a basin-defining growth fault, creating a fertile structural environment conducive to VHMS mineralisation. The geological sequence intersected includes a siltstone unit with the strongest pathfinder signature, overlying a pyritic black shale and a submarine-altered basalt unit, collectively interpreted as a submarine volcanic environment favourable for VHMS systems.
Building on these insights, Great Western plans to conduct a close-spaced ground gravity survey during the June quarter. This survey aims to refine the broad airborne gravity data previously collected, offering higher resolution to detect dense massive sulphide bodies potentially masked by sulphidic shales that can obscure electromagnetic survey results. Integrating gravity data with existing drilling and electromagnetic datasets will enable the construction of a comprehensive 3D geological model to guide precise drill targeting at both Oval and the yet-to-be-drilled Oval South targets.
Implications and Funding Position
Although the absence of significant copper or gold intercepts in the latest hole tempers immediate expectations, the robust pathfinder element enrichment and geological context reinforce the prospectivity of the project. The company’s strong cash position of $3.7 million as of March 2025 ensures it is well-funded to execute the upcoming geophysical surveys and drilling campaigns, maintaining momentum in its pursuit of a major VHMS discovery.
Great Western’s methodical approach, leveraging multi-disciplinary data and targeting a deposit style analogous to the prolific DeGrussa system, positions it as a compelling explorer in Western Australia’s copper-gold sector.
Bottom Line?
As Great Western prepares for its next phase of gravity surveying, the market will watch closely to see if these promising pathfinder signals translate into a substantial VHMS discovery.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming ground gravity survey confirm dense massive sulphide bodies at Oval and Oval South?
- How will the integration of gravity and electromagnetic data refine drill targeting precision?
- What timeline can investors expect for follow-up drilling and potential resource definition?
