West Coast Silver’s latest drilling at Elizabeth Hill confirms additional near-surface silver mineralisation and suggests a larger, vertically continuous system extending below historical workings. Assay results are expected soon, underpinning the project’s significant exploration potential.
- Visible silver mineralisation confirmed in 9 of 13 drill holes
- Native silver found above historical mine workings transitioning to silver minerals near surface
- Deeper drilling indicates continuity of mineralisation at depth
- Southerly plunging mineralisation appears to widen near surface
- First laboratory assay results anticipated mid-December 2025
Expanding the Silver Footprint at Elizabeth Hill
West Coast Silver Limited (ASX – WCE) has revealed promising new developments from its Phase 2 diamond drilling program at the Elizabeth Hill Project in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. The company has now completed 13 drill holes, with visible silver mineralisation confirmed in nine of them through portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) analysis. This latest data reinforces the presence of a substantial silver system that extends both near surface and at depth beneath the historical mine workings.
From Native Silver to Complex Mineralogy
Notably, native silver has been logged immediately above the old Elizabeth Hill mine workings, transitioning to various silver-bearing minerals closer to the surface. This gradation likely reflects multiple mineralising events or secondary enrichment processes, a complexity that West Coast Silver is actively investigating. The southerly plunging mineralised shoot appears to broaden upward, potentially creating a wider zone of near-surface silver mineralisation than previously modelled, which could enhance the project’s economic prospects.
Depth Continuity and Structural Insights
The two deepest holes drilled to date confirm that the silver mineral system continues at depth, extending well below the historical workings. This vertical continuity suggests a larger mineralised system than earlier understood. The drilling targeted key geological features such as the Munni Munni fault and the contact between ultramafic and granite rocks, which are critical controls on mineralisation. The presence of silver sulphides and oxidised native silver in these zones adds further geological confidence.
Next Steps and Exploration Outlook
All drill core samples have been dispatched to ALS laboratories, with the first assay results expected by mid-December 2025 and continuing into January. Meanwhile, West Coast Silver has commenced a near-mine aircore drilling program to test for extensions of the Elizabeth Hill system immediately north and south of the known deposit. The project benefits from its location in a tier 1 mining jurisdiction and proximity to potential processing infrastructure at the nearby Radio Hill site, although no current agreements are in place.
Historical Context and Future Potential
Elizabeth Hill is historically one of Australia’s highest-grade silver projects, having produced 1.2 million ounces of silver from just 16,830 tonnes of ore at an exceptional grade of 2,194 grams per tonne. Mining ceased in 2000 due to low silver prices at the time, but the recent consolidation of surrounding land packages and new drilling results highlight significant untapped potential. The project’s structural setting along the Munni Munni fault system offers multiple targets for further discovery.
Bottom Line?
With assay results imminent and exploration expanding, Elizabeth Hill’s silver story is entering a compelling new phase.
Questions in the middle?
- What will the laboratory assays reveal about the grade and continuity of silver mineralisation?
- How might the broader, near-surface widening of mineralisation impact future resource estimates?
- What are the timelines and potential outcomes of the ongoing aircore drilling program testing extensions?