Hopes Hill Drilling Yields 28.7m at 3.8 g/t Gold, Company Adds Second Diamond Rig
Golden Horse Minerals has confirmed significant high-grade gold mineralisation at its Hopes Hill project in Western Australia, prompting an accelerated drilling program with four rigs now active. The latest diamond drilling results reinforce the potential for a substantial gold resource.
- Diamond drilling confirms thick, high-grade gold intersections at Hopes Hill Central Zone
- Notable intercept, 28.7m at 3.8 g/t Au including 4.5m at 20.9 g/t Au
- Second diamond drill rig mobilised ahead of schedule, total rigs increased to four
- RC drilling underway targeting near-mine and step-out zones 500m southeast of historic pit
- Exploration strategy focused on expanding mineralised footprint and refining geological models
Strong Confirmation of High-Grade Mineralisation
Golden Horse Minerals Limited (ASX, GHM) has delivered a compelling update from its Hopes Hill gold project in Western Australia’s Southern Cross region. The company’s latest diamond drilling results have confirmed thick zones of high-grade gold mineralisation within the Central Zone, validating earlier reverse circulation (RC) drilling and geophysical targeting models.
The standout result comes from drill hole GHHHRCD0068, which intersected 28.7 metres at 3.8 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 192 metres depth, including a high-grade core of 4.5 metres at 20.9 g/t gold. This intercept sits within a broader mineralised zone of 86 metres at 1.6 g/t gold, underscoring the continuity and strength of the system.
Expanding Drilling Capacity to Four Rigs
In response to these encouraging results, Golden Horse fast-tracked the mobilisation of a second diamond drill rig to site, bringing the total drilling fleet to four rigs, two diamond and two RC. This expansion allows the company to accelerate its exploration efforts, including targeting near-mine and step-out zones approximately 500 metres southeast of the historic Hopes Hill pit.
RC drilling has commenced along strike south of the main mineralised system to test a series of shallow historic workings. Results from this program are anticipated in the coming weeks and could further extend the known mineralised corridor, which already spans over 1.3 kilometres.
Southern Zone Mineralisation and Geological Insights
Alongside the Central Zone, drilling in the Southern Zone has intersected wide, strong mineralisation confirming the southerly plunge of the Hopes Hill system. Notably, hole GHHHRC0092 returned 11 metres at 2.4 g/t gold from 154 metres, including 3 metres at 5.1 g/t gold, reinforcing the potential for additional high-grade zones at depth.
Geological observations highlight the association of pyrrhotite and arsenopyrite mineralisation within silicified structural zones, consistent with the orogenic gold style typical of the region. The company’s use of down hole electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys has proven effective in targeting these mineralised zones, aiding in refining the geological model.
Strategic Outlook and Next Steps
Golden Horse’s Managing Director, Nicholas Anderson, emphasised the significance of the results, noting that the thick, high-grade intercepts validate the company’s exploration approach and provide confidence in the project’s potential. The accelerated drilling program aims to expand the footprint of mineralisation while improving geological understanding to support future resource estimation and development studies.
With assay results from ongoing RC drilling expected soon, the market will be watching closely to see if the southern step-out targets deliver further extensions to the mineralised system. The company’s methodical approach and increased drilling capacity position it well to rapidly advance the Hopes Hill project.
Bottom Line?
Golden Horse Minerals is rapidly advancing Hopes Hill with robust drilling results and expanded capacity, setting the stage for a potential resource upgrade.
Questions in the middle?
- Will upcoming RC drilling results confirm extensions to the mineralised corridor southeast of the historic pit?
- How will the expanded drilling program impact the timeline and scale of resource estimation at Hopes Hill?
- What are the implications of the geological model refinements for future development and mining strategies?
