High-Tech Metals Set to Restart Drilling at High-Grade Wagtail Gold Deposit
High-Tech Metals Ltd is recommencing a 3,000-metre drilling program at its Wagtail gold deposit in January 2026, aiming to refine resource data and support development studies under a strategic funding agreement.
- 3,000m reverse circulation drilling to restart week of 12 January 2026
- Visible gold observed in prior drilling; assay results pending
- Drilling funded and managed by SSH Mining Australia under existing agreement
- Wagtail hosts 14,600 ounces at 7.11 g/t Au within a granted mining lease
- Program supports pre-feasibility studies towards potential Final Investment Decision
Drilling Resumes at Wagtail
High-Tech Metals Ltd (ASX – HTM) is poised to recommence reverse circulation (RC) drilling at its high-grade Wagtail gold deposit starting the week of 12 January 2026. This follows a Christmas shutdown and marks a significant step in advancing the project’s development. The planned ~3,000-metre infill drilling program aims to test known mineralised zones within the deposit, providing critical geological, grade, and metallurgical data to underpin ongoing resource and development studies.
Visible Gold and Pending Assays
Earlier drilling at Wagtail revealed visible gold within sulfide-bearing quartz veins, consistent with the deposit’s historically reported coarse, high-grade mineralisation. While these visual observations are encouraging, High-Tech Metals cautions that laboratory assays are essential to confirm actual gold grades. Assay results from the recent drilling are expected to be released during January 2026, offering the market a clearer picture of the deposit’s potential.
Strategic Partnership with SSH Mining
The drilling program is fully funded and managed by SSH Mining Australia Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of SSH Group Ltd (ASX – SSH), under an existing Mining Agreement. SSH is supporting all pre-feasibility work and drilling necessary to advance Wagtail towards a potential Final Investment Decision (FID). This partnership underscores a shared commitment to efficiently progressing the project through critical evaluation stages.
Wagtail’s Role in HTM’s Growth Strategy
Wagtail hosts a JORC (2012) Mineral Resource of 14,600 ounces at an impressive grade of 7.11 grams per tonne gold, situated on a granted mining lease. The deposit is a cornerstone of High-Tech Metals’ strategy to fast-track gold production from its Mt Fisher and Mt Eureka projects in Western Australia’s Northern Goldfields. Its proximity to existing infrastructure and processing facilities via established road networks provides a clear pathway to near-term development.
Looking Ahead
With scoping and pre-feasibility studies underway, the drilling results will be pivotal in refining project parameters and supporting future mining decisions. Both High-Tech Metals and SSH remain aligned in their focus on unlocking the high-grade zones identified to date, aiming to de-risk the deposit and lay the groundwork for potential production.
Bottom Line?
As drilling resumes, all eyes will be on the upcoming assay results to gauge Wagtail’s true potential and its role in HTM’s growth trajectory.
Questions in the middle?
- What will the assay results reveal about the grade and continuity of the visible gold zones?
- How might the drilling outcomes influence the timing and scope of a Final Investment Decision?
- What are the broader implications for the Mt Fisher and Mt Eureka projects based on Wagtail’s progress?
