Wilgeena Gold Exploration Faces Key Heritage Agreement Before Drilling

Exploration Advances at Wilgeena

Solara Minerals Ltd (ASX – SLA) has initiated a high-resolution Ultrafine® soil geochemistry survey at its Wilgeena West Project in Western Australia. This strategic move aims to better define the structural trends that control gold mineralisation within the Peak Hill Schist and adjacent Naracoota Volcanics, two geological formations known for hosting significant gold deposits.

The Peak Hill Schist notably hosts the Hermes South deposit, which contains approximately 114,000 ounces of gold at 1.2 grams per tonne, and the larger Peak Hill deposit with 481,000 ounces at 1.6 grams per tonne. These deposits underscore the prospectivity of the region and provide a compelling backdrop for Solara’s exploration efforts.

Modern Techniques Target Hidden Gold

Solara’s deployment of the CSIRO Ultrafine® soil sampling technique represents a modern geochemical approach that is gaining traction as an industry standard. This method enhances the ability to detect subtle geochemical anomalies that traditional sampling might miss, especially in complex structural settings. By focusing on the structural controls of gold mineralisation, the survey aims to convert existing anomalous geochemical signals; such as historic air core drilling results showing gold concentrations exceeding 100 parts per billion; into actionable drill targets.

The survey is designed as a low-impact, two-week program, reflecting both environmental sensitivity and operational efficiency. It will support the planning of future drilling campaigns by providing detailed geochemical maps that highlight prospective zones within the Wilgeena tenements.

Next Steps and Community Engagement

Following the completion of the soil sampling, Solara plans to analyse the results to identify high-priority drill targets. However, before advancing to drilling, the company intends to formalise a heritage agreement with the Jidi Jidi people, the traditional custodians of the land. This step is crucial to ensure respectful and compliant exploration activities.

Executive Director Tony Rovira emphasised the significance of the Ultrafine® sampling, noting its ability to provide vectors to “blind” targets that were previously only accessible through drilling. This approach could unlock new zones of mineralisation, potentially expanding the resource base at Wilgeena.

With only limited historical drilling; five reverse circulation holes on E52/4369 and one on E52/4370; the project area remains relatively underexplored, offering a fertile ground for discovery. The integration of geophysical data, such as VTEM anomalies linked to sulphide mineralisation in fold hinges, further enhances the targeting precision.

As Solara advances this program, the market will be watching closely for soil sampling results and subsequent drill plans, which could materially impact the company’s exploration trajectory and valuation.