Tibooburra Gold Project’s High-Grade Shoot Remains Open, Novo Plans Follow-Up
Novo Resources has reported significant high-grade gold intercepts from its maiden drilling at the Clone prospect within the Tibooburra Gold Project, confirming a continuous shallow north-plunging gold shoot over 300 metres. The company plans further drilling and structural studies to expand on these promising results.
- Maiden RC drilling program completed at Clone prospect with 14 holes over 1,984 metres
- High-grade gold intercepts include 12 m at 5.90 g/t Au and 17 m at 2.40 g/t Au
- Continuity of mineralisation confirmed over 300 m strike with shallow north plunge
- Novo exceeded initial $500,000 farm-in expenditure under JV with Manhattan Corporation
- Follow-up drilling and detailed structural analysis planned to extend mineralisation
Exploration Breakthrough at Clone Prospect
In May 2025, Novo Resources Corp completed its inaugural reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign at the Clone prospect, part of the expansive Tibooburra Gold Project in northwestern New South Wales. The program, consisting of 14 holes totaling nearly 2,000 metres, tested a 500-metre strike length and delivered compelling high-grade gold results that fill critical gaps in previous drilling by Manhattan Corporation Limited.
Among the standout intercepts were 12 metres grading 5.90 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 16 metres depth, including a richer 5-metre section at 13.74 g/t, and 17 metres at 2.40 g/t from 59 metres, featuring 9 metres at 4.14 g/t. These results not only confirm the presence of a shallow, north-plunging shoot of high-grade mineralisation but also demonstrate continuity of grade and width over a 300-metre strike, a significant extension of the known system.
Strategic Farm-In and Project Potential
Novo’s drilling success comes shortly after it met and exceeded its initial farm-in expenditure requirement of $500,000 under a binding joint venture agreement with Manhattan Corporation. This milestone secures Novo’s option to acquire a 70% interest in the Tibooburra tenements, which cover a historic goldfield stretching over 22 kilometres of strike. The project’s geological setting, characterized by orogenic gold mineralisation hosted in turbidite sequences, bears strong similarities to the prolific Victorian Goldfields, underscoring its exploration potential.
Beyond Clone, Novo is advancing work at the New Bendigo prospect, located about 7 kilometres southeast, where historic drilling has also revealed high-grade gold mineralisation with a similar shallow northerly plunge. Plans include relogging historic diamond core and conducting detailed structural analyses to better understand controls on mineralisation and identify further drill targets.
Next Steps and Broader Exploration Strategy
Looking ahead, Novo is designing follow-up RC drilling to test the northern extensions of the Clone high-grade shoot, which remains open both down plunge and down dip. Complementary work will involve downhole imaging to capture structural data and mapping along the Pioneer-Phoenix trend to refine targeting. This systematic approach aims to unlock the full potential of the Tibooburra belt, which remains underexplored despite its extensive historic workings.
Executive Co-Chairman and Acting CEO Mike Spreadborough highlighted the encouraging consistency of the drilling results and the exciting prospectivity of the project. With a robust exploration pipeline and a strategic JV partnership in place, Novo is positioning itself to potentially define a significant new gold resource in this emerging NSW gold province.
Bottom Line?
Novo’s maiden drilling at Tibooburra confirms a promising high-grade gold system, setting the stage for resource expansion and further exploration breakthroughs.
Questions in the middle?
- How will follow-up drilling refine the size and grade continuity of the Clone high-grade shoot?
- What structural controls will be revealed by downhole imaging and relogging at New Bendigo?
- Can Tibooburra’s geological similarities to Victorian Goldfields translate into a major resource discovery?
