Access and Environmental Challenges Loom Over Wilson’s Hill Gold Targets
Bubalus Resources has identified promising high-grade gold targets at its Wilson’s Hill Project near Bendigo, Victoria, revealing structural similarities to the prolific Bendigo Goldfield and bonanza-grade mineralisation at depth.
- High-grade gold mineralisation confirmed at ~250m depth
- Historic drilling reports bonanza grades up to 23.83 g/t Au
- Structural geology analogous to Bendigo Goldfield supports repeatable reef targets
- Project tenure includes freehold and conservation land requiring careful access planning
- Further exploration programs planned including geochemical sampling and modern geophysics
Historic Gold Legacy Meets Modern Exploration
Bubalus Resources Limited (ASX, BUS) has announced the identification of high-grade gold targets at its Wilson’s Hill Project, located just west of Bendigo in Victoria’s renowned goldfields. The project area, historically mined in the late 1800s and early 1900s, features shallow workings with reported bonanza-grade gold, and recent reviews of historical data have revealed compelling structural similarities to the prolific Bendigo Goldfield.
The Wilson’s Hill Project lies within folded and faulted Ordovician sedimentary sequences, hosting classic orogenic gold mineralisation in the form of saddle reefs and fault-related quartz veins. Western Mining Corporation’s diamond drilling in the 1980s confirmed a saddle-reef horizon at approximately 250 metres depth, intersecting grades as high as 23.83 grams per tonne (g/t) gold with visible gold noted. These results underscore the potential for repeatable high-grade mineralised structures at depth.
Structural Analogies to Bendigo Goldfield
Geological mapping and structural analysis highlight that Wilson’s Hill shares key features with the Bendigo Goldfield, including regularly spaced folding and faulting patterns conducive to the formation of multiple stacked reef horizons. This analogy supports the prospect of discovering additional high-grade gold reefs beneath the historically mined shallow zones.
Further validation comes from drilling programs conducted by GBM Limited between 2010 and 2013, which confirmed the presence of Bendigo-style mineralisation repeating at depths between 200 and 800 metres. While these historical exploration targets have not yet been converted into JORC-compliant resources, they provide a strong foundation for Bubalus’ planned exploration activities.
Navigating Land Access and Environmental Considerations
The Wilson’s Hill tenement comprises a mix of freehold land and Crown land, including areas designated as Conservation Reserves. Bubalus has acknowledged the presence of historical mining relics and shafts, which may impact exploration logistics. The company is actively engaging with stakeholders and landowners to secure access and ensure compliance with environmental regulations, aiming to minimise disturbance in sensitive areas.
Next Steps, Modern Exploration Techniques
Bubalus is advancing the project with a comprehensive plan that includes compiling and validating historical data, conducting new geochemical sampling, and deploying modern geophysical surveys such as induced polarization (IP). These efforts will be complemented by a targeted drilling program designed to test the identified high-grade targets and further delineate the mineralised structures.
With the Wilson’s Hill Project situated in one of Australia’s most productive gold belts, Bubalus Resources is positioning itself to unlock significant value through systematic exploration and resource definition.
Bottom Line?
Bubalus’ Wilson’s Hill Project is poised for a new chapter of exploration that could redefine its gold potential in the shadow of Bendigo’s historic success.
Questions in the middle?
- Will Bubalus be able to secure full access to conservation and Crown land areas for drilling?
- How soon can the company deliver a JORC-compliant resource estimate based on new exploration data?
- What are the implications of the high-grade saddle reef horizon for potential mining economics?
