14 Holes, 1,135m: Sunshine Metals Targets High-Grade Gold at Sybil
Sunshine Metals has initiated a 14-hole diamond drilling campaign at its Sybil Epithermal Gold Project, targeting key high-grade veins at Francis Creek. This marks a significant step in unlocking the potential of a largely underexplored gold system analogous to the nearby Pajingo mine.
- 14 diamond holes (~1,135m) drilling underway at Francis Creek, Sybil
- Focus on low sulphidation epithermal gold veins, A Vein and Main Vein
- Drone magnetic survey planned for October to enhance regional targeting
- Sybil project shares geological traits with the prolific Pajingo gold system
- Concurrent drilling and resource upgrades progressing at Liontown North
Drilling Commences at Sybil
Sunshine Metals Limited (ASX – SHN) has kicked off a diamond drilling program at its Sybil Epithermal Gold Project, located approximately 135km west of Townsville. The program comprises 14 diamond holes totaling around 1,135 metres, focusing on the Francis Creek prospect. This drilling aims to provide critical geological data on vein thickness, composition, and orientation, which are essential for refining exploration models in this underexplored region.
Managing Director Dr Damien Keys highlighted the rapid mobilization of the rig, achieved within nine weeks of acquiring the Sybil tenure. The company has digitized extensive historic data, including over 4,600 rock chip samples and 201 drill holes, to guide the current campaign.
Targeting High-Grade Epithermal Veins
The drilling program targets low sulphidation epithermal gold mineralisation hosted in the A Vein and Main Vein systems at Francis Creek. Historic rock chip samples have returned impressive gold grades, including assays up to 907g/t Au, underscoring the prospect's high-grade potential. Select drill holes will test the Main Vein beneath a shallow intercept that previously returned 4m at 11.6g/t Au, aiming to delineate potential high-grade shoots.
Complementing the drilling, Sunshine Metals plans to conduct a detailed drone magnetic survey over the broader Sybil region starting in October. This geophysical data will assist in structural interpretation and help identify new targets within the extensive >40km long extensional structure that hosts the mineralisation.
Sybil’s Geological Promise and Regional Context
Sybil’s geology bears strong resemblance to the nearby Pajingo gold mine, which has produced around 4 million ounces of gold. Both systems are Carboniferous in age, hosted in volcanic sequences, and feature similar epithermal vein textures and orientations. Despite this, Sybil has seen limited modern exploration, leaving significant upside potential.
Historic exploration at Sybil has included multiple drilling campaigns and a bulk sample in 1991 that yielded 961 tonnes at 7.6g/t Au. Sunshine Metals’ current efforts aim to build on this foundation with modern techniques and a comprehensive data-driven approach.
Broader Project Activity and Outlook
Alongside Sybil, Sunshine Metals is advancing work at its Liontown Dome, including ongoing studies and a resource upgrade expected in the coming months. The company is also conducting concurrent drilling at Liontown North, testing promising gold horizons near a 6 million tonne resource.
Upcoming milestones include the release of Sybil drilling results in October and participation in key industry conferences, positioning Sunshine Metals to maintain momentum in its exploration and development programs.
Bottom Line?
As Sunshine Metals drills deeper into Sybil’s veins, the market awaits results that could redefine the project’s gold potential.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the diamond drilling confirm high-grade continuity and vein orientation at Francis Creek?
- How will the upcoming drone magnetic survey reshape regional exploration targets?
- What impact will Sybil’s results have on Sunshine Metals’ overall resource valuation and development plans?
