GoldArc’s Maiden Drilling Yields Up to 8m at 811 ppb Gold at Whistler

• Maiden aircore drilling reveals four distinct gold mineralised zones at Whistler Prospect
• Significant shallow gold intercepts up to 8m @ 811 ppb Au including 4m @ 1,520 ppb Au
• Polymetallic mineralisation with cobalt, silver, chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, and lead at Jessop Creek
• Major ~6,500m RC drilling program planned at multiple prospects including Orion and Sapphire
• Diamond drilling underway at Mt Stirling to support resource development

Exploration Breakthrough at Leonora South

GoldArc Resources (ASX – GA8) has announced encouraging results from its maiden aircore drilling program at the Leonora South Gold Project in Western Australia. The program, targeting the Whistler and Jessop Creek prospects, has successfully identified four new blind gold mineralised zones beneath cover at Whistler, an area previously untested by drilling.

The discovery is significant given the geological setting’s resemblance to the well-known Gruyere deposit, with mineralisation hosted within foliated high-zirconium granite and coinciding with magnetic lows. Notably, the easternmost zone remains open-ended, suggesting further potential for expansion.

Promising Gold Intercepts and Polymetallic Hits

Among the standout results are shallow gold intercepts such as 8 metres at 811 parts per billion (ppb) gold including 4 metres at 1,520 ppb from 44 metres depth, and 12 metres at 299 ppb including 4 metres at 545 ppb from surface. These intercepts highlight the potential for economically viable mineralisation near surface.

Meanwhile, at Jessop Creek, the drilling returned notable polymetallic mineralisation including cobalt, silver, chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, and lead. For example, one hole intersected 28 metres grading 22% iron, 5,573 ppm chromium, 1,477 ppm nickel, and 954 ppm copper, alongside cobalt and silver anomalies. This adds a new dimension to the project’s exploration potential beyond gold alone.

Strategic Follow-Up Drilling Programs

GoldArc is moving swiftly to capitalise on these findings with a substantial follow-up drilling campaign planned. A major reverse circulation (RC) drilling program of approximately 6,500 metres is set to commence in the coming months across key prospects including Orion, Sapphire, Eclipse, and Gladstone. Concurrently, diamond drilling has already begun at Mt Stirling and Mt Stirling Well to support resource development efforts.

These programs aim to delineate the extent and grade of mineralisation, refine geological models, and potentially upgrade existing resource estimates. The company’s Managing Director, Paul Stephen, emphasised the technical success of the maiden aircore program and the exciting parallels to established deposits in the region.

Implications for GoldArc’s Growth Strategy

GoldArc’s portfolio in the Eastern Goldfields is now bolstered by these new discoveries, reinforcing its strategy to grow its existing 200,000-ounce JORC resource base through disciplined exploration. The identification of blind mineralised zones under cover is particularly encouraging, as it opens up previously overlooked targets for resource expansion.

Moreover, the polymetallic findings at Jessop Creek could diversify the project’s commodity exposure, potentially enhancing its value proposition. The company’s systematic approach, combining soil surveys, aircore, RC, and diamond drilling, positions it well to unlock further value from its tenements.

Bottom Line?

GoldArc’s discovery of new blind gold zones and polymetallic mineralisation sets the stage for a pivotal drilling season that could reshape its resource profile.

Questions in the middle?

• How extensive and continuous are the newly identified gold mineralised zones at Whistler?
• What is the economic potential of the polymetallic mineralisation at Jessop Creek?
• When can investors expect updated resource estimates following the upcoming drilling campaigns?