Barkley Gold Zone Remains Open After Drilling—What Risks Lie Ahead for Red Hill?
Red Hill Minerals has extended gold mineralisation at its Barkley target in the West Pilbara, revealing a strike length exceeding one kilometre with multiple significant intercepts. The company plans further geological modelling and drilling to unlock the project's potential.
- Gold mineralisation footprint at Barkley now over one kilometre strike length
- Significant gold intercepts including 9m at 2.4 g/t Au and 4m at 1.5 g/t Au
- Diamond drilling confirms gold presence and extensive alteration at depth
- Geological modelling underway to guide next phase of drilling
- Drilling co-funded by WA Government Exploration Incentive Scheme
Expanding the Barkley Gold Target
Red Hill Minerals Limited (ASX – RHI) has reported encouraging assay results from its recent reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drilling programs at the Barkley Gold target, part of its West Pilbara Gold and Base Metal Project. The latest drilling campaign has extended the known gold mineralisation footprint to over one kilometre in strike length, with mineralisation remaining open in several directions, signalling potential for further growth.
The drilling results include notable intercepts such as 9 metres at 2.4 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 133 metres and 4 metres at 1.5 g/t gold from 9 metres, highlighting both shallow and deeper mineralised zones. Diamond drilling twin holes have confirmed the presence of gold mineralisation and revealed extensive alteration, including hematite alteration observed at depths around 190 metres, suggesting a complex and evolving mineral system.
Geological Context and Exploration Progress
The Barkley Gold target is strategically located near the Deepdale Fault system, a major structural feature separating the Hamersley and Ashburton Basins. This geological setting is known for hosting mineralisation associated with fault zones and anticlinal structures. Previous drilling had already identified anomalous gold mineralisation, but the 2025 drilling program has significantly expanded the footprint and confirmed continuity of mineralisation in both weathered and fresh rock.
Red Hill Minerals has commenced detailed 3D geological modelling incorporating structural data from the diamond core to better understand the mineralisation controls and guide future drill planning. This modelling effort aims to refine targeting and optimise the next phase of exploration, which is expected to focus on step-out drilling to the north, south, and east where the thickest and highest-grade mineralisation remains open.
Funding and Forward Outlook
The diamond drilling component of the program was co-funded by the Western Australian Government’s Exploration Incentive Scheme, which provided up to $180,000 in support. This partnership underscores the strategic importance of the Barkley target within the region’s exploration landscape.
Looking ahead, Red Hill Minerals plans to continue its exploration momentum with further drilling campaigns, petrological studies, and geochemical analyses to unravel the alteration styles and pathfinder elements associated with the gold mineralisation. These efforts will be critical in advancing the project towards a potential resource definition in the future.
Bottom Line?
With the Barkley gold system expanding and remaining open, Red Hill Minerals is poised for a pivotal exploration phase that could reshape its West Pilbara prospects.
Questions in the middle?
- What are the true widths of the gold mineralisation intersected in recent drilling?
- How will ongoing geological modelling influence the targeting of future drill holes?
- What is the potential scale and grade continuity of the Barkley gold system beyond current drill coverage?
