Augustus Minerals has secured heritage approval for drilling at its Music Well Gold Project, paving the way for a maiden 1,000-metre drilling campaign targeting the promising Clifton East prospect in early 2026.
- Heritage approval received from Watarra Aboriginal Corporation for Music Well drilling
- Maiden 1,000m reverse circulation drilling planned at Clifton East gold prospect
- High-grade rock chip samples up to 50.3g/t gold underpin target potential
- Project located 35km north of Leonora in a prolific gold district
- Further soil sampling and exploration license pursuits in Papua New Guinea underway
Heritage Approval Unlocks Drilling Opportunity
Augustus Minerals (ASX, AUG) has reached a significant milestone at its Music Well Gold Project in Western Australia, announcing the receipt of the Heritage Survey Report from the August 2025 survey. This approval, granted by the Watarra Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC on behalf of the Darlot People, clears a key regulatory hurdle, allowing the company to commence its maiden drilling campaign at the site.
Located just 35 kilometres north of Leonora, a region renowned for its prolific gold endowment exceeding 28 million ounces, Music Well covers a substantial 1,345 square kilometres of exploration licences. The project’s proximity to established operations such as the Darlot and Thunderbox gold mines underscores its strategic importance.
Targeting Clifton East, A Compelling Gold Prospect
The initial drilling program will focus on the Clifton East prospect, a 1.2-kilometre-long soil and structural anomaly that has yet to be tested by drilling despite its promising surface indications. Augustus plans to drill 11 reverse circulation holes, each approximately 100 metres deep, targeting multiple quartz veins within a major east to east-northeast trending fault system.
Previous rock chip sampling at Clifton East has yielded impressive gold grades, including standout assays of 50.3g/t, 29.8g/t, and 21.3g/t. These high-grade surface results, combined with the structural setting adjacent to a lithological contact between granitoids, make Clifton East a highly compelling target for mineralisation.
Exploration Momentum and Broader Strategy
Site preparation for drilling is set to begin shortly, with drilling expected to commence in January 2026. Alongside the drilling campaign, Augustus plans a second phase of soil sampling to further refine targets within the Music Well project area.
Beyond Music Well, Augustus is actively pursuing exploration opportunities in Papua New Guinea, including the Mt Kare and Vanapa River licence applications. These projects lie within highly prospective mineral belts known for gold and copper deposits, signalling the company’s broader ambition to build a diversified portfolio across Australia and PNG.
Led by a team with extensive exploration and mining experience, Augustus Minerals is positioning itself to capitalise on the rich mineral potential of these regions. The heritage approval at Music Well not only enables immediate drilling but also reinforces the company’s commitment to responsible and collaborative exploration practices.
Bottom Line?
With heritage clearance secured, Augustus Minerals is poised to turn promising surface results into tangible drilling outcomes at Music Well.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the maiden drilling at Clifton East confirm the high-grade gold potential suggested by surface samples?
- How quickly can Augustus advance exploration license applications in Papua New Guinea to complement its Australian assets?
- What are the implications of the drilling results for the broader Music Well project’s resource potential and development timeline?