Pantoro Gold Uncovers High-Grade Depth Extensions at Scotia Underground

Depth Extensions Confirmed at Scotia

Pantoro Gold Limited (ASX – PNR) has announced compelling results from its ongoing drilling program at the Scotia Underground Mine, part of its 100%-owned Norseman Gold Project in Western Australia. Recent extensional drilling has confirmed the presence of high-grade gold mineralisation up to 135 metres below the existing indicated mineral resource, a significant finding that suggests the mine’s potential extends well beyond current estimates.

The company reported multiple wide and high-grade intersections from both extensional and grade control drilling campaigns. These results include impressive assays such as 2 metres at 33.65 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, including 1.3 metres at 47.21 g/t, and other notable intercepts exceeding 100 g/t gold over narrow widths. These findings were recorded in both the Central and Northern orebodies, indicating continuity of mineralisation along strike and at depth.

Strategic Importance of Scotia Underground

Scotia Underground Mine is a key asset within Pantoro’s broader Norseman Gold Project, which boasts a total mineral resource of approximately 4.6 million ounces of gold. The Scotia Mining Centre itself has a current underground mineral resource estimated at 1.9 million tonnes grading 5.32 g/t gold for 329,000 ounces. The mine is positioned to become the largest underground operation at Norseman in the coming years, underpinning Pantoro’s growth ambitions.

Managing Director Paul Cmrlec emphasized the significance of these results, stating that the drilling reinforces confidence in the geological model and the prospect of a long-life, high-grade underground mine. The company plans to continue extensional drilling alongside grade control efforts to further expand the mine plan and unlock the full scale of the Scotia system.

Growth-Focused Exploration and Investment

Pantoro has earmarked a $55 million growth budget for fiscal year 2026, with a substantial portion allocated to advancing multiple targets within the Scotia Mining Centre. The ongoing drilling program aims to infill and extend the known mineral resource, particularly testing for stacked repeats of the lode system at depth. Early results from this program have been promising, with several high-grade intercepts confirming the potential for resource expansion.

The company’s broader strategy at Norseman targets increasing production from underground operations, aiming initially for 100,000 ounces per annum with a longer-term goal of exceeding 200,000 ounces annually. The recent drilling success at Scotia adds momentum to this strategy, highlighting the mine’s role as a cornerstone for future growth.

Technical Rigor and Historical Context

The drilling program employs industry-standard techniques, including diamond core drilling with precise orientation and sampling protocols. Assays are conducted using advanced photon assay technology at an onsite facility, enhancing measurement precision. The geological setting of Scotia is well understood, with mineralisation hosted in quartz reefs within a shear zone, consistent with the broader Norseman greenstone belt’s prolific gold endowment.

Historically, the Scotia deposit has seen significant production from both open pit and underground mining, with Pantoro recently completing open pit operations and transitioning to underground development. The current drilling results build on this legacy, suggesting that the deposit’s depth extensions could sustain mining activities for many years to come.