Exploration at Sybil Faces Native Title Hurdles Despite Strong Gold Results
Sunshine Metals has reported compelling final assay results from its recent diamond drilling program at the Sybil project, confirming significant high-grade gold mineralisation and paving the way for expanded exploration in early 2026.
- 12 of 14 drill holes at Sybil show significant gold mineralisation
- Notable intercepts include 4.5m @ 17.23g/t Au and 4.4m @ 57.51g/t Au
- Native title clearance surveys underway to enable further drilling
- Heli-borne magnetic survey scheduled for late 2025
- Sybil project likened to the prolific Pajingo epithermal gold system
Strong Results Confirm Sybil’s Potential
Sunshine Metals Limited (ASX, SHN) has released the final assay results from its inaugural diamond drilling campaign at the Sybil project, part of the Ravenswood Consolidated Project in north Queensland. The 14-hole program, completed between August and October 2025, has delivered a string of high-grade gold intercepts, with 12 holes returning significant mineralisation above 1 gram per tonne (g/t) gold.
Among the standout results are a 4.5-metre intercept grading 17.23 g/t gold from 82.5 metres depth, and an exceptional 4.4 metres at 57.51 g/t gold from 23.6 metres, which includes a narrow but extremely rich 1.1-metre section at 148 g/t. These findings reinforce the prospectivity of Sybil’s epithermal vein system and its potential to host further high-grade zones.
Geological Insights and Exploration Progress
The drilling program has refined the geological understanding of the A Vein, confirming its steep northward dip and suggesting promising extensions to the northwest and southeast that remain untested. Notably, historic drill holes in the northwest are now interpreted to have missed the true vein position, highlighting new targets with surface samples up to 22.4 g/t gold.
Sunshine’s Managing Director, Dr Damien Keys, described the program as an “outstanding success,” emphasizing the confirmation of shallow, high-grade mineralisation and the system’s broader potential. The company is advancing native title clearance surveys at Francis Creek and adjacent prospects, which are critical to enabling further drilling activities planned for early 2026.
Supporting Surveys and Broader Project Context
Complementing the drilling results, a heli-borne magnetic survey is scheduled for November to December 2025. This survey aims to delineate structural features and refine drill targeting, enhancing the precision of upcoming exploration efforts.
Sybil’s geological setting draws strong parallels with the nearby Pajingo gold deposit, which has produced approximately 4 million ounces of gold. Both systems share similar age, host rock types, and epithermal vein textures, underscoring Sybil’s potential as a significant new gold discovery in the region.
Looking Ahead
Beyond Sybil, Sunshine Metals is progressing a suite of activities across its Ravenswood Consolidated Project, including resource upgrades and metallurgical studies at Liontown, as well as ongoing drilling and exploration initiatives. The company’s integrated approach aims to leverage recent successes to advance multiple prospects toward mining readiness.
Bottom Line?
With high-grade gold confirmed and key surveys underway, Sunshine Metals is poised to accelerate exploration momentum at Sybil in 2026.
Questions in the middle?
- Will follow-up drilling confirm extensions of the high-grade A Vein to the northwest and southeast?
- How will the upcoming magnetic survey data influence drill targeting and project valuation?
- What are the timelines and potential impacts of native title clearance on exploration schedules?
