Visible Gold at Eaglehawk Spurs Great Boulder to Accelerate Drilling
Great Boulder Resources has intensified its exploration at the Side Well Gold Project with a third drilling rig now operational, targeting geotechnical and metallurgical studies at Ironbark alongside ongoing resource definition at Eaglehawk and Ironbark North.
- Third diamond rig arrives at Side Well, increasing total rigs on site to three
- Diamond drilling focused on geotechnical and metallurgical sampling at Ironbark
- Additional drilling planned following visible coarse gold discovery at Eaglehawk
- Pending assay results from 125 holes across multiple targets
- Deep diamond drilling scheduled for Mulga Bill and Eaglehawk in Q4 2025
Accelerating Exploration at Side Well
Great Boulder Resources (ASX, GBR) has ramped up its drilling campaign at the Side Well Gold Project near Meekatharra, Western Australia, with the arrival of a third rig. This diamond rig joins an existing reverse circulation (RC) rig and an air core (AC) rig already active on site, marking a significant escalation in the company’s exploration efforts.
The diamond rig’s primary mission is to complete geotechnical and metallurgical drilling at the Ironbark deposit. These core holes will provide critical data on rock strength and pit wall stability, essential for detailed mine design and pre-feasibility studies. Additionally, the core samples will be used for metallurgical testing, including gravity and leach recovery assessments, which are vital for understanding ore processing characteristics.
Responsive Drilling Strategy Following Visible Gold Discovery
Meanwhile, the RC rig continues its Phase 3 definition drilling at Eaglehawk, where recent drilling intersected coarse visible gold, a promising sign that has prompted immediate follow-up drilling. This discovery could potentially enhance the resource profile and add value to the project, though assay results are still awaited.
The AC rig is progressing well with reconnaissance drilling over new targets north of Eaglehawk and Ironbark, as well as an intriguing unexplained geophysical anomaly between the central and eastern corridors of the project area. This program aims to identify additional gold mineralisation zones that could contribute to resource growth.
Pending Assays and Future Drilling Plans
Assay results are pending for 34 RC holes and 91 AC holes, with a current turnaround time averaging 28 days due to increased regional exploration activity. Great Boulder is actively planning further drilling based on these results, including a series of deep diamond holes at Mulga Bill and Eaglehawk scheduled for the December quarter.
The Side Well project hosts a robust Mineral Resource Estimate of 668,000 ounces of gold at an average grade of 2.8 grams per tonne, underpinning the company’s strategic focus on advancing this asset. The multi-rig approach and ongoing exploration activity signal Great Boulder’s commitment to unlocking further value from this prolific gold district.
Strategic Outlook
With multiple rigs operating simultaneously and a pipeline of drilling targets, Great Boulder is positioning itself for a steady flow of exploration news and potential resource upgrades. The company’s technical team is leveraging detailed geological, geotechnical, and metallurgical data to refine mine planning and enhance project economics.
Bottom Line?
Great Boulder’s expanded drilling campaign at Side Well sets the stage for potential resource growth and advancing mine design, keeping investors keenly awaiting assay results and further updates.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the recent visible coarse gold intersection at Eaglehawk impact the overall resource estimate?
- What metallurgical characteristics will the Ironbark core samples reveal, and how might they influence processing plans?
- Will the deep diamond drilling at Mulga Bill and Eaglehawk uncover new high-grade zones to extend the project’s life?