Tempest Minerals reports encouraging gold assay results from rock chip sampling at its Cherokee target, prompting an expanded drilling program at the Range Project near Mt Magnet.
- Gold assays exceed 1 g/t from rock chips at Cherokee target
- Drilling program expanded to include Cherokee alongside Wrangler and Defender
- Drilling delayed, now scheduled for late September
- Project geology aligns with prolific Mt Magnet gold mineralisation
- Additional geochemical sampling and assays planned
Exploration Update at Mt Magnet
Tempest Minerals Ltd (ASX:TEM) has provided a significant update on its Range Project, located in the highly prospective Mt Magnet gold region of Western Australia. Recent surface sampling at the Cherokee target has returned rock chip gold values exceeding 1 gram per tonne, a promising indicator given the geological similarities to nearby established mines such as the Britannia Well Mine.
The Range Project, wholly owned by Tempest, covers 17 tenements over a 20-kilometre strike length in the heart of the Mt Magnet greenstone belt. This region is renowned for its multi-million-ounce gold deposits and hosts major mining operations by companies like Ramelius Resources and Westgold.
Expanding the Drilling Program
In response to these encouraging rock chip results, Tempest has expanded its upcoming reverse circulation (RC) drilling program. Initially targeting the Wrangler and Defender prospects, the program will now also test the Cherokee target. This expansion reflects the company’s confidence in the potential for significant mineralisation along this newly identified strike.
However, drilling has been delayed due to scheduling conflicts with the contractor’s existing commitments in the goldfields. The program is now slated to commence in late September, with multiple drill holes planned to verify historical data and explore new targets.
Geological Context and Exploration Strategy
The geology of the Range Project is consistent with the broader Mt Magnet mineral field, characterised by greenstone belts intruded by felsic porphyries and banded iron formations (BIFs). Approximately 75% of the gold endowment in the region is hosted within porphyry units, with the remainder in BIFs and other lithologies. The Cherokee target’s rock chips were collected from BIF outcrops exhibiting quartz veining and sulphide alteration, mirroring mineralisation styles seen in the region’s productive mines.
Tempest’s exploration approach combines detailed mapping, geochemical sampling, and mineralogical analysis to refine drill targets. Alongside drilling, an auger geochemical sampling program is planned at the Evoque target, further demonstrating the company’s methodical and data-driven exploration strategy.
Looking Ahead
While the rock chip results are encouraging, they represent early-stage exploration data. The upcoming drilling campaign will be critical to testing the continuity and economic potential of the mineralisation. Tempest’s management remains optimistic, leveraging historical data and recent fieldwork to guide their efforts in this prolific gold district.
With multiple targets along a 7-kilometre strike and a geology analogous to some of Mt Magnet’s most productive areas, the Range Project could become a significant contributor to Tempest’s portfolio. Investors and market watchers will be keenly awaiting assay results from the expanded drilling program and subsequent field campaigns.
Bottom Line?
Tempest’s expanded drilling at Cherokee marks a pivotal step in unlocking the Range Project’s gold potential, with results due to shape the company’s next moves.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming drilling confirm the continuity of gold mineralisation at Cherokee?
- How might Tempest integrate historical drilling data with new results to refine resource estimates?
- What are the potential timelines and capital requirements for advancing the Range Project beyond exploration?