Great Western Uncovers Core of Large VHMS Copper-Gold System at Oval

Ground Gravity Survey Highlights Oval's Potential

Great Western Exploration Limited has reported a breakthrough in its Yerrida North Project with a close-spaced ground gravity survey at the Oval Copper-Gold Targets in Western Australia. The survey has delineated a significant gravitational high anomaly, interpreted as the core of a large Volcanic Hosted Massive Sulphide (VHMS) copper-gold mineralisation system. This discovery draws parallels to the nearby DeGrussa Copper-Gold Deposit, one of the region's most notable VHMS systems.

The anomaly aligns with a previously modelled VHMS horizon hosted by a siltstone unit, which carries a strong geochemical signature typical of VHMS environments. Great Western believes this zone represents the central 'black smoker' vent position, where dense sulphide mineralisation is concentrated. This interpretation is bolstered by the geological setting at the intersection of major faults, which likely acted as conduits for mineralising fluids.

Upcoming Drilling and Heritage Clearance

To test this promising target, the company has designed a diamond drill-hole to a depth of 750 metres at Oval South. Although the Western Australian Government’s Exploration Incentive Scheme co-funding application was unsuccessful, Great Western will fully fund the drilling. Heritage clearance, a critical step before drilling, is scheduled to commence in early November 2025, with approvals underway. This drilling campaign is poised to provide crucial insights into the scale and grade of the mineralisation.

Juggernaut Targets Show Camp-Style Potential

Further south-east within the Yerrida Basin, Great Western has identified six discrete VHMS copper-gold targets at the Juggernaut project, approximately 70 kilometres from DeGrussa and Monty deposits. Each target exhibits distinct stratigraphic, structural, and geochemical characteristics indicative of a potential VHMS camp. Access infrastructure is largely in place, with heritage surveys ongoing, paving the way for imminent drilling.

Rock-chip sampling and soil geochemistry have revealed significant anomalies in copper, lead, zinc, and silver, reinforcing the prospectivity of these targets. The geological context, including pillow basalts and pepperite textures, confirms a deep seafloor volcanic environment conducive to VHMS mineralisation.

Expanding Regional Targets and Sediment Hosted Copper Potential

Beyond Oval and Juggernaut, Great Western has delineated additional copper-gold targets on the margins of the Yerrida Basin. These areas exhibit subtle but consistent geochemical anomalies alongside structural features interpreted as fluid pathways. Notably, the company sees potential for Sediment Hosted Copper Deposits (SHCD) in these sub-basins, a style known for hosting large copper resources globally, such as in the African Copperbelt.

Ongoing fieldwork, including soil and rock-chip sampling and geological mapping, aims to refine drilling targets in these promising zones.

Lake Way Potash Project Shows Encouraging Brine Grades

In parallel with its copper-gold exploration, Great Western’s Lake Way Potash Project continues to deliver encouraging results. Water bore drilling has confirmed high-grade potassium brine (>5,500 mg/l) within a paleochannel that extends from the adjacent SO4 project, which recently commenced commercial potash exports. The paleochannel is interpreted to extend over 15 kilometres within Great Western’s tenure, with potential to double in length pending further drilling.

These potassium levels, combined with balanced sulphate chemistry, are favorable for producing sulphate of potash (SOP) fertiliser. While market conditions currently temper immediate resource development, the company is reviewing further drilling to define a maiden resource when sentiment improves.

Strategic Tenure Management and Outlook

Great Western continues to optimize its portfolio, relinquishing non-core tenements to focus on high-potential assets. The company holds significant securities in Albion Resources, adding to its strategic asset base. Exploration expenditure for the quarter was $442,000, reflecting active and focused programs.

With multiple drilling campaigns on the horizon and a growing pipeline of targets, Great Western is positioning itself to unlock substantial value from its Yerrida Basin holdings and potash assets.