Galileo Mining Unveils High-Grade Gold and PGE Hits at Norseman Ahead of RC Drilling
Galileo Mining reports standout gold assays up to 13.7 g/t with significant palladium and platinum at its Norseman project, setting the stage for upcoming RC drilling to test promising bedrock targets.
- High-grade gold assay of 13.7 g/t with palladium and platinum from aircore drilling
- 10km strike of PGE anomalism defined at Mission Sill prospect
- RC drilling contract signed, drilling expected to start late November
- Norseman project includes 17.5Mt Callisto deposit with significant PGE-nickel-copper resources
- Results highlight potential for new high-grade gold-PGE discoveries in a new mineral province
Exploration Breakthrough at Norseman
Galileo Mining Ltd (ASX, GAL) has released compelling assay results from recent aircore drilling at its wholly owned Norseman project in Western Australia. The standout highlight is a single metre gold assay grading 13.7 grams per tonne, accompanied by notable palladium and platinum values. These results underscore the prospectivity of the Mission Sill prospect, where a 10-kilometre strike of platinum group element (PGE) anomalism has been delineated.
The assays, derived from one-metre split samples using fire assay techniques, confirm the presence of high-grade gold-PGE mineralisation hosted in ultramafic rocks analogous to those at the nearby Callisto deposit. This discovery builds on Galileo’s 2022 Callisto find, which remains the first of its kind in Australia, drawing parallels to South Africa’s Platreef deposits.
Strategic Drilling Plans
Following these promising results, Galileo has secured a reverse circulation (RC) drilling contract, with rigs expected to mobilise in late November. The upcoming program aims to test bedrock mineralisation along the Mission Sill’s Eastern Contact Zone, focusing on the high-grade gold and PGE intervals identified in the aircore campaign. Initial RC holes will be short and overlapping to precisely locate the ultramafic-mafic contact and confirm mineralisation continuity at depth.
Managing Director Brad Underwood expressed optimism, noting the consistent PGE anomalism along the 10km strike and the potential for further discoveries in this emerging PGE mineral province. The Mission Sill prospect lies approximately 8km from Callisto, sharing similar geological hosts, which bodes well for expanding the resource base.
Context Within the Norseman Project
The Norseman project covers 255 square kilometres and includes multiple prospects such as Jimberlana South and Mission Sill South, alongside the flagship Callisto deposit. Callisto’s maiden JORC resource, reported in 2023, stands at 17.5 million tonnes grading 1.04 grams per tonne 4E (combined Pd, Pt, Au, Rh), with significant nickel and copper credits. Metallurgical testing suggests the mineralisation is amenable to conventional processing methods, supporting reasonable prospects for economic extraction.
Galileo’s exploration approach integrates detailed geophysical surveys, geochemical sampling, and systematic drilling. The recent aircore program comprised approximately 4,300 metres over 149 holes, with follow-up fire assays refining the understanding of mineralisation distribution. The company’s methodical sampling and QAQC protocols lend confidence to the assay results.
Looking Ahead
With RC drilling imminent, the market will be watching closely for confirmation of high-grade mineralisation at depth. Success here could significantly enhance the Norseman project’s resource profile and elevate Galileo’s standing in the PGE and gold exploration space. The company’s joint ventures in the Fraser Range further diversify its portfolio, but Norseman remains the immediate focus for near-term value creation.
Bottom Line?
Galileo’s high-grade assays at Norseman set a promising stage for upcoming RC drilling that could unlock a new chapter in Australian PGE-gold exploration.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming RC drilling confirm continuity and true widths of the high-grade gold-PGE mineralisation?
- How might these new results impact the resource model and economic outlook for the Norseman project?
- What are the implications for broader exploration in this emerging PGE mineral province?