Golden Horse Minerals has unveiled compelling 2025 drilling results at its Hopes Hill project, confirming a large-scale gold mineralised system with multiple high-grade intercepts over a 2.5km strike length. The company plans to resume drilling in early 2026 to further delineate this promising resource.
- 37 of 42 recent drill holes returned gold mineralisation
- Over 2.5km strike length delineated, mineralisation open at depth
- Deepest intercept at 363m with 10m @ 2.08 g/t Au
- Results support potential for large-scale open pit mining
- Drilling paused for year-end, to recommence January 2026
A Year of Steady Progress at Hopes Hill
Golden Horse Minerals Limited (ASX – GHM) has reported a successful year of exploration at its flagship Hopes Hill gold project, located near Southern Cross in Western Australia. Throughout 2025, the company completed an extensive drilling campaign comprising 220 holes and over 41,500 metres of reverse circulation and diamond drilling. This work has significantly expanded the known mineralised system, delineating a strike length exceeding 2.5 kilometres and extending mineralisation approximately 165 metres deeper than previously recorded.
Multiple Mineralised Horizons and High-Grade Intercepts
The drilling results reveal multiple mineralised horizons along the Hopes Hill trend, with 37 out of 42 recent holes returning positive gold intercepts. Notably, the deepest mineralisation intersected to date was in hole GHHHRCD0119, which returned 10 metres at 2.08 grams per tonne gold from 363 metres downhole, over 100 metres deeper than previous intersections and well below the historic open pit base. Other significant intercepts include 3.5 metres at 9.22 g/t Au (including 0.86 metres at 21.7 g/t) and 5 metres at 5.06 g/t Au, underscoring the potential for high-grade zones within the system.
Open Pit Mining Potential and Regional Exploration
The broad, shallow mineralisation encountered at Hopes Hill North and South further supports the feasibility of large-scale open pit mining scenarios. For example, intercepts such as 8 metres at 1.81 g/t Au from 25 metres depth and 4 metres at 3.78 g/t Au from 112 metres highlight the project's near-surface potential. Beyond Hopes Hill, Golden Horse has also completed drilling at regional prospects including Hakes Find, Ennuin, and Golden Valley, returning encouraging shallow high-grade results that reinforce the prospectivity of the Southern Cross Greenstone Belt, where the company holds a dominant land position of over 1,800 square kilometres.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Following a busy drilling season that peaked with four rigs operating simultaneously, Golden Horse has safely demobilised its crews for the year-end break. The company plans to resume drilling early in 2026, focusing on resource development and deeper diamond drilling to test down-plunge extensions and high-grade shoots identified in the current program. Complementary geophysical surveys, including down-hole electromagnetic (DHEM) studies, are also planned to refine targeting and enhance geological understanding.
Managing Director Nicholas Anderson expressed confidence in the project’s trajectory, noting that the steady, disciplined approach throughout 2025 has positioned Golden Horse well ahead of expectations. With assay results from recent holes still pending, the company is poised for a potentially transformative year ahead as it advances towards resource estimation and development.
Bottom Line?
Golden Horse’s methodical drilling campaign has laid a solid foundation for resource growth at Hopes Hill, setting the stage for a pivotal 2026 exploration season.
Questions in the middle?
- How will pending assay results influence the resource model and project economics?
- What impact will upcoming geophysical surveys have on targeting deeper mineralisation?
- Can regional exploration unlock additional high-grade zones beyond Hopes Hill?