Taruga Minerals reports rock chip assays up to 23.2 g/t gold from its maiden due diligence visit to the Weioko gold district in Papua New Guinea, confirming a robust epithermal gold system with promising exploration upside.
- Rock chip samples up to 23.2 g/t Au at Weioko gold district
- High-grade silver also identified at Wenasia prospect
- East Normanby Project covers 491 km² on Normanby Island
- Historical drilling includes 67 holes totaling 5,792m
- Comprehensive exploration program planned for 2026
Exploration Breakthrough at Weioko
Taruga Minerals Limited (ASX, TAR) has announced compelling assay results from rock chip sampling conducted during its recent due diligence visit to the East Normanby gold project in Papua New Guinea. The highlight is a rock chip sample grading 23.2 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, underscoring the high-grade nature of the epithermal veins within the Weioko gold district.
These results validate the presence of an extensive gold system stretching over an 8-kilometre strike length, with mineralisation hosted in basement metamorphics and overlying sedimentary units. The discovery of high-grade silver values, notably 82 g/t silver at the nearby Wenasia prospect, adds further dimension to the district’s potential.
Historical Context and Project Scale
The East Normanby project spans a substantial 491 square kilometres on Normanby Island and includes the Weioko gold deposit, where historical drilling between 1987 and 2009 comprised 67 holes totaling nearly 5,800 metres. Previous trenching and drilling have revealed significant gold intercepts, including intervals exceeding 50 metres at grades above 2 g/t gold, with some zones reaching exceptional grades above 20 g/t.
While the historical resource estimate is not compliant with current JORC standards, the data provides a strong foundation for Taruga’s exploration strategy. The company’s acquisition option over this project, alongside the Kol Mountain copper/gold project on New Britain Island, positions it well within a highly prospective region of Papua New Guinea.
Next Steps in Exploration
Taruga plans to advance the project with a comprehensive field program commencing in the first quarter of 2026. This will include detailed geochemical sampling, geological mapping, and reprocessing of historical geophysical data to refine drill targets. The company also intends to validate historical drill and trench locations using modern GPS technology to improve spatial accuracy.
Director David Chapman emphasised the significance of the findings, noting the confirmation of exceptional gold grades and the identification of new exploration targets, particularly the deeper mineralisation within the metamorphic basement rocks that remains untested. The presence of gold in local streams near Wenasia further supports the potential for undiscovered mineralisation along strike.
Strategic Implications
These early-stage results reinforce Taruga’s strategic move into Papua New Guinea’s mineral-rich landscape. The combination of high-grade surface samples and encouraging historical drilling data suggests the potential for a sizeable gold resource. However, the company acknowledges that further drilling and resource definition work are required to confirm continuity and economic viability.
With exploration momentum building, Taruga’s upcoming programs will be closely watched by investors seeking exposure to high-grade gold assets in emerging jurisdictions.
Bottom Line?
Taruga’s Weioko results mark a promising start, but the path to a defined resource will require rigorous follow-up drilling and validation.
Questions in the middle?
- How will Taruga prioritise drill targets within the extensive Weioko gold district?
- What timeline is expected for an updated JORC-compliant resource estimate?
- Could the high-grade silver at Wenasia lead to a dual-metal exploration focus?