Gum Creek Feasibility Study Advances with 4,400m Drilling Planned
Horizon Gold is advancing its Gum Creek Gold Project feasibility study on track for early 2026 completion, with significant resource expansion and deep drilling planned to extend mine life and enhance project economics.
- Feasibility study progressing well, completion expected early 2026
- 4,400m resource expansion drilling planned between Swan-Swift and Kingfisher
- Deep diamond drilling targeting high-grade zones at Kingfisher and Omega
- Updated Mineral Resource Estimate scheduled for Q4 2025
- Environmental and water bore studies advancing without major issues
Feasibility Study on Track
Horizon Gold Limited (ASX, HRN) has provided a robust update on its 100% owned Gum Creek Gold Project in Western Australia's Mid-West Region. The company reports that its feasibility study is advancing steadily and remains on schedule for completion in early 2026. This study is critical as it will define the project's economic viability and guide future development decisions.
Resource block modelling has been completed across all key deposits, including Swan-Swift, Kingfisher, and others, while pit optimisation work has commenced using a gold price assumption of A$4,500 per ounce. Metallurgical test work is nearing completion, with only carbon adsorption and tailings testing outstanding. Importantly, environmental surveys have not identified any priority ecological communities, smoothing the path for regulatory approvals.
Resource Expansion Drilling to Boost Reserves
To underpin the feasibility study and extend the mine life, Horizon Gold plans to recommence resource expansion drilling before the end of August. Approximately 4,400 metres of reverse circulation drilling is targeted between the Swan-Swift and Kingfisher deposits, focusing on converting shallow supergene gold mineralisation into open pittable resources within close proximity to the planned processing facility.
Additionally, deep diamond drilling is set to begin mid-September targeting high-grade mineralisation down plunge at the Kingfisher and Omega prospects. Previous drilling at these sites returned impressive intercepts, such as 15 metres at 28.5 grams per tonne gold at Kingfisher and 30 metres at 21.1 grams per tonne at Omega, highlighting the potential for significant underground resources.
Optimism for Extended Mine Life and Robust Operation
The company expresses confidence that the Gum Creek project can operate as a robust standalone mine, with recent gold price strength enhancing the economics beyond the March 2024 scoping study. The planned drilling campaign aims to confirm extensions to mineralisation that could extend the mine life well beyond the initial ten-year outlook, potentially unlocking further underground mining opportunities.
Supporting infrastructure planning is progressing, with site layouts developed and 3D modelling underway. Water bore drilling and pump testing are on schedule, essential for establishing a comprehensive water balance model critical to sustainable operations.
Overall, Horizon Gold's methodical approach to advancing the feasibility study, combined with targeted drilling to expand resources, positions the Gum Creek Gold Project as a compelling development opportunity in the Australian gold sector.
Bottom Line?
As drilling results and feasibility milestones unfold, Gum Creek’s potential to reshape Horizon Gold’s future will come sharply into focus.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming drilling confirm extensions sufficient to materially extend mine life?
- How will pending metallurgical and tailings test results impact processing plans and costs?
- What are the potential regulatory or environmental hurdles as the project advances toward development?