Star Minerals Uncovers Shallow Gold West of Tumblegum South Resource
Star Minerals reports promising shallow gold intercepts 120 metres west of known lodes at its Tumblegum South project, hinting at a potential resource expansion ahead of planned mining approvals.
- Shallow gold intercepts up to 7.76 g/t Au found 120m west of existing resource
- 38 reverse circulation drill holes completed, totaling 2,032 metres
- Infill drilling confirms high-grade gold within southern pit optimisation
- Further drilling planned to test western extension and repeat duplex structure
- Mining approvals submission targeted for September 2025, production Q1 2026
Exploration Success at Tumblegum South
Star Minerals Limited (ASX, SMS) has delivered encouraging results from its recent drilling campaign at the Tumblegum South Gold Project in Western Australia. The company announced new shallow gold intercepts discovered 120 metres west of the previously defined high-grade lodes, suggesting the potential for an extension of the current mineral resource. This latest program comprised 38 reverse circulation holes totaling 2,032 metres, blending infill drilling within the southern pit optimisation area and targeted exploration holes testing structural extensions.
Key Drill Highlights and Geological Insights
The standout intercept came from hole TGRC068, which returned multiple shallow gold zones including 2 metres at 4.20 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from just 4 metres depth, with a peak 1 metre interval grading 7.76 g/t. Additional intercepts in the same hole included 5 metres at 2.12 g/t from 11 metres depth. These results are interpreted as a repeat duplex structure analogous to the main east-west mineralised lodes, opening up a new target area close to surface.
Infill drilling within the southern pit area reaffirmed the presence of high-grade gold, with previously reported intercepts such as 5 metres at 30.91 g/t from 21 metres in hole TGRC055 underscoring the robustness of the resource. The drilling also confirmed the geological model underpinning the 2023 mineral resource estimate, providing confidence in the continuity and grade of mineralisation.
Advancing Towards Production
Managing Director Ashley Jones highlighted the significance of the western step-out results, noting the potential for a pit extension that could increase the resource base. The company is actively planning follow-up drilling to delineate the extent and grade of this shallow mineralisation. Meanwhile, Star Minerals remains on track to submit mining approvals in September 2025, aiming for production commencement in the first quarter of 2026.
Supporting the development timeline, Star Minerals has signed a memorandum of understanding with MEGA Resources for mining services and appointed ResourcesWA to manage the mine approvals process. The project economics appear robust, with updated production targets forecasting gold output between approximately 11,800 and 15,900 ounces, generating an estimated cash surplus of A$9.4 million to A$19.6 million, based on current gold prices significantly above those used in prior studies.
Looking Ahead
The company plans to incorporate the new drilling data into an updated JORC Mineral Resource estimate expected by late 2025 or early 2026. This update could improve the resource classification and underpin further project optimisation. Additionally, environmental assessments have been facilitated by drilling that confirmed no significant mineralisation in proposed waste rock dump areas, smoothing the path for approvals.
Overall, the Tumblegum South project continues to demonstrate promising exploration upside and a clear pathway to production, positioning Star Minerals as a gold developer to watch in the coming months.
Bottom Line?
Star Minerals’ new shallow gold discoveries could meaningfully expand Tumblegum South’s resource, setting the stage for a critical resource update and imminent mining approvals.
Questions in the middle?
- How extensive is the western extension’s mineralisation beyond the initial 120m step-out?
- What impact will the updated JORC resource have on project valuation and financing?
- Will mining approvals proceed smoothly given the environmental findings and planned waste rock dump design?
