Pending Assays Could Make or Break Thowagee’s Exploration Potential
Taruga Minerals has identified a compelling VTEM bedrock conductor near historic polymetallic workings at its Thowagee Project, with ongoing exploration and assay results expected soon.
- Independent review confirms high amplitude VTEM conductor at Thowagee
- VTEM anomaly coincides with magnetic anomaly and surface galena, malachite
- Recent soil sampling shows elevated gold and arsenic along interpreted shear zone
- Handheld diamond drilling reveals base metal sulphides in core samples
- Ground gravity, magnetic, and FLEM surveys underway; assays pending in 4-6 weeks
Exploration Breakthrough at Thowagee
Taruga Minerals Limited (ASX, TAR) has announced a significant advancement in its exploration efforts at the Thowagee Project in Western Australia's Gascoyne province. An independent review of a 2017 airborne VTEM (versatile time-domain electromagnetic) survey has confirmed a discrete, high amplitude bedrock conductor approximately one kilometre south of the historic polymetallic workings. This conductor is now classified as a high priority target for further investigation.
Geophysical and Geochemical Correlations
The VTEM anomaly aligns with a coincident magnetic anomaly and is situated adjacent to a structural shear zone interpreted from regional magnetic data. Surface rock chip samples collected near the anomaly have revealed the presence of galena and malachite, classic indicators of base metal mineralisation. Complementing this, expanded soil sampling has detected elevated gold and arsenic concentrations, with peak gold assays reaching 92 parts per billion. These geochemical signatures reinforce the prospectivity of the target area.
Recent Drilling and Ongoing Surveys
In July, Taruga completed a series of four short, handheld BQ diamond core holes within existing workings to assess the mineralogy of host rocks adjacent to historical excavations. Visual inspection of the core identified minor occurrences of base metal sulphides, including galena and sphalerite. While these observations are preliminary and await laboratory confirmation, they provide encouraging evidence of mineralisation halos around the old workings.
Simultaneously, the company is conducting ground gravity and magnetic surveys over a 5.5 square kilometre area to refine geological models and enhance drill targeting. A fixed loop electromagnetic (FLEM) survey is also underway directly over the VTEM anomaly to better delineate the conductor's characteristics. Results from these geophysical programs, along with pending assays from soil, rock chip, and core samples, are expected within the next four to six weeks.
Context and Next Steps
The Thowagee Project sits within a complex geological setting of metamorphic chlorite quartz mica schists and Proterozoic meta-sediments intruded by granitic bodies, a setting known to host shear zone-related base and precious metal mineralisation. Historical mining and sporadic exploration dating back to the mid-20th century provide a foundation, but modern geophysical and geochemical techniques are now unlocking new potential.
Taruga’s methodical approach, integrating historical data with contemporary fieldwork and advanced surveys, positions the company well to define high priority drill targets. The upcoming assay results and geophysical interpretations will be pivotal in guiding the next phase of exploration, potentially including more extensive drilling campaigns.
Bottom Line?
As assay results and geophysical data converge, Taruga’s Thowagee Project could be poised for a defining exploration breakthrough.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the pending assays confirm economically significant grades of gold and base metals?
- How will the detailed ground geophysical surveys refine the understanding of the VTEM conductor?
- What scale and timing of drilling might follow if the current data supports a robust mineralised system?
