Novo Resources reports impressive high-grade gold rock chip assays from its Tibooburra Gold Project, highlighting new targets and advancing exploration with drilling plans underway.
- Peak rock chip assays of 39.9 g/t Au at Pioneer North and 19.8 g/t Au at Pioneer South
- Geological mapping and down-hole surveys confirm shallow to moderate NNW plunging high-grade shoots
- New exploration license application consolidates over ~350 sq km of prospective ground
- Drilling targets being assessed at Clone, New Bendigo, and Pioneer South prospects
- Regulatory approvals secured for RC drilling at John Bull project near Grafton
Exploration Breakthrough at Tibooburra
Novo Resources Corp has delivered a promising update on its New South Wales gold exploration efforts, particularly at the Tibooburra Gold Project. Recent rock chip sampling has yielded standout results, with assays peaking at 39.9 grams per tonne gold (g/t Au) at Pioneer North and 19.8 g/t Au at Pioneer South. These findings underscore the potential for significant high-grade gold mineralisation within the project area.
The company’s recent reconnaissance program combined detailed geological mapping, re-logging of historic diamond core, and advanced down-hole geophysical surveys at key prospects including Clone, Pioneer, and New Bendigo. This integrated approach has reinforced the interpretation of shallow to moderate north-northwest plunging high-grade shoots as the primary mineralisation style, a structural setting reminiscent of renowned Victorian goldfields such as Fosterville and Bendigo.
Expanding the Footprint and Targeting Drilling
In a strategic move to consolidate its position, Novo has lodged an application for an additional exploration license covering approximately 350 square kilometres contiguous to its existing tenure. This expansion includes multiple historic workings and extends the prospective trend, potentially increasing the scale of the gold system under investigation.
Pending assay results from 136 rock chip samples and 115 soil samples collected across priority prospects like Warratta Reef are expected to further refine drill targeting. Meanwhile, Novo is actively assessing drilling programs to test down-plunge extensions of high-grade shoots at Clone, New Bendigo, and the newly defined Pioneer South target, which notably has not been previously drill tested.
Progress at John Bull and Regulatory Milestones
Beyond Tibooburra, Novo is advancing its John Bull Gold Project near Grafton, NSW. The company has secured all necessary regulatory approvals for a planned reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign targeting four high-priority zones. While landholder access negotiations are ongoing, this progress marks a critical step toward unlocking value at John Bull, complementing Novo’s broader NSW exploration portfolio.
Executive Co-Chairman and Acting CEO Mike Spreadborough emphasised the significance of the geological similarities between Tibooburra and major Victorian gold deposits, highlighting the potential for shallow, high-grade ore bodies formed by complex folding and faulting. While cautioning that similar results are not guaranteed, he expressed optimism about the ongoing work and upcoming drilling campaigns.
Looking Ahead
As Novo awaits the results of pending assays and finalises drilling plans, the company’s methodical approach to exploration and land consolidation positions it well to advance the Tibooburra project toward resource definition. The combination of high-grade surface sampling, structural modelling, and targeted drilling could unlock a significant new gold discovery in NSW’s underexplored Albert Goldfields region.
Bottom Line?
Novo’s latest exploration strides at Tibooburra set the stage for a potentially transformative drilling campaign in NSW’s emerging gold province.
Questions in the middle?
- Will pending assay results confirm the extent and continuity of high-grade mineralisation at Warratta Reef and New Bendigo?
- How will landholder negotiations impact the timing and scope of drilling at the John Bull project?
- Can Novo replicate the high-grade Victorian-style gold shoots at Tibooburra to define a substantial resource?