Exploration Risks Loom as Great Western Eyes DeGrussa-Style Deposits
Great Western Exploration Limited is poised to begin drilling a key copper-gold target at Oval in March 2026, targeting a potentially large VHMS mineralisation system. Follow-up drilling at the Juggernaut targets is planned, alongside ongoing regional exploration and promising potash project developments.
- Drilling permits secured for 750m diamond hole at Oval Copper-Gold Target
- Oval target interpreted as core of a large VHMS copper-gold system akin to DeGrussa
- Six Juggernaut VHMS copper-gold targets identified, drilling to follow Oval
- New regional copper-gold targets under active field investigation
- Lake Way Potash Project shows high-grade potassium brine, further drilling planned
Exploration Momentum Builds at Oval
Great Western Exploration Limited (ASX – GTE) is gearing up for a significant drilling campaign at its Oval Copper-Gold Target within the Yerrida North Project in Western Australia. The company has secured all necessary permits to test a coincident gravity anomaly and a modelled prospective horizon interpreted as the core of a Volcanic Hosted Massive Sulphide (VHMS) copper-gold mineralisation system. This system bears geological and geophysical similarities to the nearby DeGrussa Copper-Gold Deposit, a notable benchmark in the region.
The planned diamond drill-hole is designed to reach a depth of 750 metres, aiming to intersect the gravity high anomaly that is believed to represent dense sulphide mineralisation at the central 'black smoker' zone of the VHMS system. Drilling is scheduled to commence in March 2026, marking a critical step in validating the prospectivity of this target.
Juggernaut Targets – A Potential VHMS Camp
Following the Oval drilling, Great Western intends to advance exploration at the Juggernaut Copper-Gold Targets, located approximately 70 kilometres southeast of DeGrussa. The company has delineated six individual VHMS-style targets; Seymour, Falconer, Howard, Palmer, Smith, and Archer; each defined by distinct stratigraphic, structural, and geochemical signatures. These targets sit within the Killara Formation, geologically equivalent to the DeGrussa Formation, and exhibit encouraging surface geochemical anomalies including copper, lead, zinc, and silver.
Access approvals for Juggernaut are anticipated during the March 2026 quarter, with drilling planned to follow promptly. The cluster of targets suggests the potential for a VHMS copper-gold camp, which could significantly enhance Great Western’s resource portfolio if confirmed.
Expanding Regional Prospects and Potash Potential
Beyond Oval and Juggernaut, Great Western has identified several additional copper-gold target areas along the margins of the Yerrida Basin. These targets, interpreted as sub-basins, show subtle but promising copper-gold anomalism and structural features conducive to mineralisation. The company is conducting further fieldwork, including soil and rock-chip sampling, to refine drilling locations.
Meanwhile, the Lake Way Potash Project continues to demonstrate encouraging results. Potassium brine samples from recent drilling have returned high-grade values exceeding 5,500 mg/l, comparable to adjacent producing projects. The paleochannel hosting these brines extends over 15 kilometres within Great Western’s tenure, with potential to double in length pending further drilling. Additional exploration is planned to better define the extent and grade of this potash resource.
Financial and Corporate Overview
During the December 2025 quarter, Great Western reported exploration expenditure of $401,000, with no mining production activities. The company maintains a stable cash position of approximately $1.28 million at quarter-end. It also holds a significant equity stake in Albion Resources Limited, valued at around $1.4 million, alongside performance rights.
Great Western continues to optimise its tenement portfolio, having relinquished non-core areas to focus on high-potential assets. The company’s strategic approach aims to maximise shareholder value through targeted exploration and potential joint ventures or sales of non-core tenure.
Bottom Line?
As Great Western prepares to drill at Oval and Juggernaut, the coming months will be pivotal in defining the scale of its copper-gold prospects and advancing its potash ambitions.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming drill results at Oval confirm the presence of a large VHMS copper-gold system?
- How quickly can Great Western progress Juggernaut drilling following access approvals?
- What is the potential scale and commercial viability of the Lake Way potash resource?
