Forrestania Resources Unveils Maiden 12,419 Ounce Gold Resource at Ada Ann
Forrestania Resources has announced a maiden JORC-compliant inferred mineral resource of 12,419 ounces of gold at its Ada Ann deposit near Kalgoorlie, marking a key step towards production.
- Maiden inferred mineral resource of 231,600 tonnes at 1.67 g/t gold
- Total contained gold estimated at 12,419 ounces
- Discovery cost estimated at $33 per ounce
- Near-surface mineralisation suggests potential for low-cost open pit mining
- Further drilling planned to expand and upgrade resource classification
A Significant Milestone for Forrestania Resources
Forrestania Resources Limited (ASX, FRS) has taken a decisive step forward in its ambition to become a high-margin gold producer with the announcement of a maiden JORC-compliant inferred mineral resource at its Ada Ann gold deposit. Located within the Bonnie Vale project near Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, the resource estimate totals 231,600 tonnes grading 1.67 grams per tonne gold, equating to approximately 12,419 ounces of contained gold.
Strategic Location and Geological Context
The Ada Ann deposit lies just 18 kilometres north of Coolgardie, within the Eastern Goldfields region, a prolific gold-producing area. The deposit is hosted in an east-dipping shear zone within ultramafic and basaltic rocks, with mineralisation open in all directions and confirmed at depth by extensive drilling. The near-surface nature of the mineralisation bodes well for potentially low-cost open pit mining operations, a factor that could enhance project economics.
Robust Exploration and Resource Modelling
The resource estimate is underpinned by a comprehensive drilling program comprising 139 holes and over 6,700 metres of reverse circulation and rotary air blast drilling. The company employed inverse distance cubed interpolation without grade capping to model the deposit, reflecting confidence in the geological continuity and grade distribution. A nominal AUD 8,000 break-even pit shell was used to demonstrate reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction.
Cost Efficiency and Future Growth Potential
With a discovery cost of just $33 per ounce, Forrestania Resources highlights the cost-effective nature of the exploration effort to date. Chairman David Geraghty emphasised that this maiden resource is a testament to the company’s disciplined exploration approach and strengthens confidence in Ada Ann’s potential. The company plans further drilling to expand the resource base and upgrade the classification from inferred to indicated, alongside metallurgical testwork to better understand processing characteristics.
Looking Ahead
While metallurgical data is currently lacking, planned testwork and ongoing drilling are expected to refine the resource estimate and support future development studies. Situated near established gold mines such as the Mungari operation, Ada Ann benefits from proximity to existing infrastructure and a well-understood mining jurisdiction. Forrestania Resources is positioning itself to capitalise on this promising discovery as it advances towards production.
Bottom Line?
Ada Ann’s maiden resource sets the stage for Forrestania’s next growth phase, but metallurgical insights and resource upgrades will be critical to watch.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming metallurgical test results impact resource confidence and processing plans?
- What are the timelines and targets for converting inferred resources to indicated or measured categories?
- How might Ada Ann’s development integrate with Forrestania’s broader project portfolio and regional infrastructure?
