960 Meters Drilled: Visible Tungsten Found in Maiden Idaho Drilling Program
Resolution Minerals has completed initial drilling at its Horse Heaven Project in Idaho, revealing visible tungsten mineralisation alongside gold and silver. The company’s maiden drill program aims to expand the known mineral footprint with assays pending.
- Four diamond core holes completed totaling 960 meters
- Visual identification of tungsten mineral scheelite in first three holes
- Drilling textures similar to adjacent Stibnite Gold Project
- Phase 1 program plans up to 12 holes with multi-element assays pending
- Assay results expected within 6 to 8 weeks
Initial Drilling Success at Golden Gate
Resolution Minerals Ltd (ASX, RML) has reported encouraging early results from its maiden diamond core drilling campaign at the Golden Gate Target, part of the Horse Heaven Gold-Antimony-Tungsten-Silver Project in Idaho, USA. Over 14 days, the company completed four holes totaling 960 meters, with a fifth hole underway as part of a planned 3,000-meter Phase 1 program.
Notably, the first three drill holes revealed visible scheelite, a tungsten ore mineral, identified using ultraviolet light. This discovery is significant as tungsten had not been assayed in prior historical drilling despite the region’s history as a tungsten producer for the US government in the 1950s. The presence of scheelite alongside gold and silver mineralisation hints at a potentially valuable polymetallic system.
Geological Context and Comparisons
The host rocks encountered are altered granodiorite to monzonite, part of the Cretaceous Idaho Batholith, showing alteration textures and quartz vein structures similar to those at the adjacent Stibnite Gold Project operated by Perpetua Resources. This geological similarity bolsters confidence in the prospectivity of the Golden Gate Target.
While visual identification of scheelite is a promising indicator, Resolution Minerals cautions that fluorescence under UV light is not a substitute for laboratory assay results, which are expected in 6 to 8 weeks. These assays will provide definitive data on tungsten, gold, silver, and antimony grades, crucial for assessing the economic potential of the mineralisation.
Next Steps and Strategic Outlook
The company plans to complete up to twelve holes in this Phase 1 program, with discussions underway to potentially accelerate drilling by securing a second rig. Multi-element assays will focus on intervals where scheelite was visually detected, aiming to confirm and expand the mineralised footprint.
Resolution Minerals’ CEO of U.S. Operations, Craig Lindsay, highlighted the encouraging nature of the results, noting the target area is just a small part of a much larger project. This suggests considerable upside potential as further drilling and assay results come to light.
Overall, these early findings position Resolution Minerals well within a competitive landscape for gold and tungsten exploration in Idaho, with the potential to unlock a polymetallic resource that could attract significant market interest.
Bottom Line?
With assays pending and drilling ongoing, Resolution Minerals’ Horse Heaven Project could soon reveal a richer polymetallic story.
Questions in the middle?
- What will the upcoming assay results reveal about tungsten and antimony grades?
- How extensive is the mineralised footprint beyond the initial drill holes?
- Could the Horse Heaven Project rival the adjacent Stibnite Gold Project in scale and value?
