Rock Chips at Sybil Yield Up to 17.85g/t Gold Over 400m Strike
Sunshine Metals has confirmed high-grade gold mineralisation over a 400m strike at its Sybil project, setting the stage for drilling in August 2025. Early rock chip assays validate the project's potential, drawing parallels with the prolific nearby Pajingo deposit.
- High-grade gold assays up to 17.85g/t from rock chip sampling at Francis Creek
- Mineralisation confirmed over more than 400 meters of strike at surface
- Fieldwork underway including mapping, sampling, and drone topographic survey
- Drilling planned for August 2025 to test the Sybil epithermal system
- Sybil shares geological similarities with the 4Moz Pajingo gold deposit
Early Exploration Success at Sybil
Sunshine Metals Limited (ASX – SHN) has reported encouraging early results from its Sybil epithermal gold project, located roughly 135km west of Townsville. Recent rock chip sampling at the Francis Creek prospect within Sybil has returned impressive gold grades, including assays as high as 17.85 grams per tonne. These samples confirm the presence of high-grade mineralisation exposed at surface over a strike length exceeding 400 meters.
Field activities are progressing swiftly, with initial geological mapping and sampling underway not only at Francis Creek but also at adjacent targets such as Francis Creek East and the Burdekin Veins. A high-resolution drone topographic survey is scheduled to enhance drill planning, with Sunshine Metals aiming to commence drilling in August 2025.
Geological Context and Regional Significance
The Sybil project sits within a large extensional structure hosting Permian-Carboniferous volcanic rocks, a setting known for low-sulphidation epithermal gold systems. Notably, Sybil shares many geological characteristics with the nearby Pajingo gold deposit, which has produced approximately 4 million ounces of gold since 1986. Both deposits feature crustiform and colloform quartz-adularia veins and are hosted in similar volcanic sequences, suggesting Sybil could host a significant gold system.
Historic exploration at Sybil has been intermittent, with previous joint ventures and drilling campaigns identifying promising mineralisation but leaving much of the area underexplored. Sunshine Metals’ recent work aims to build on this foundation, leveraging modern exploration techniques and a comprehensive understanding of epithermal systems.
Broader Project Portfolio and Upcoming Milestones
Sybil is part of Sunshine Metals’ broader Ravenswood Consolidated Project, which includes multiple gold and base metal prospects such as Liontown Dome and Quartz Ridge. The company is also advancing a pre-feasibility study at Liontown and expects to deliver resource upgrades and metallurgical results in the coming months.
Sunshine Metals’ managing director, Dr Damien Keys, highlighted the rapid progress made in a short timeframe and the significance of the rock chip results as a precursor to drilling. The company’s upcoming activities include further fieldwork, drilling campaigns, and participation in key mining conferences, underscoring a busy second half of 2025.
Looking Ahead
While the rock chip assays provide a tantalising glimpse of Sybil’s potential, the true test will come with the planned drilling program. The results will be critical to defining the extent, grade continuity, and economic viability of the mineralisation. Sunshine Metals’ methodical approach and the project’s strong geological analogues position it well for a potentially transformative discovery.
Bottom Line?
Sunshine Metals’ Sybil project is poised for a pivotal drilling campaign that could unlock a new high-grade gold resource in a proven epithermal district.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming drilling confirm the continuity and true width of the high-grade gold veins?
- How might Sybil’s mineralisation compare in scale and grade to the nearby Pajingo deposit?
- What are the implications of Sunshine Metals’ broader exploration strategy for its Ravenswood Consolidated Project?