Zelica Drilling Yields 22 of 23 Holes with Significant Gold Intersections

Zelica’s Maiden Drilling Success

Strata Minerals Limited (ASX – SMX) has announced compelling results from its maiden reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the Zelica Gold Project, located in the highly prospective Laverton Province of Western Australia. The 23-hole, 1,970-metre program has delivered consistent, shallow, high-grade gold oxide mineralisation along a 1-kilometre strike length, directly beneath an existing pre-stripped open pit.

Remarkably, 22 of the 23 holes returned significant gold intersections, with standout results including 10 metres at 3.18 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 37 metres depth, and several other intervals exceeding 4 g/t over multiple metres. These results not only confirm the continuity of the mineralisation but also highlight the potential for high-grade shoots within the broader system.

Expanding the Gold Corridor

The drilling has better defined a “hanging wall” lode adjacent to the main mineralised zone, with encouraging intersections such as 6 metres at 2.26 g/t gold. This suggests the presence of parallel shear zones and stacked lodes, which remain largely untested to the immediate east and west of the main lode. The recent acquisition of the Zelica South Project further extends the prospective gold corridor to over 8 kilometres, offering substantial exploration upside.

Strategically, Zelica sits on a granted mining licence within a tier-1 gold district, approximately 50 kilometres from multiple multi-million-ounce deposits and within trucking distance of several processing mills. This proximity to established infrastructure enhances the project’s potential for near-term development and mining opportunities, especially in the current favourable gold price environment.

Pathway to Resource Definition and Development

Managing Director Peter Woods expressed confidence in the project’s prospects, noting the impressive consistency of the drilling results and the clear pathway to an initial Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE). Follow-up drilling is scheduled for late February 2026 to extend mineralisation at depth and along strike, while geochemical and geological programs will commence shortly on the Zelica South tenement.

Historical metallurgical testwork indicates excellent gold recoveries exceeding 90% via vat leaching and cyanidation, supporting the economic viability of potential mining operations. The existing site infrastructure, including a pre-stripped trial open pit and vat leach ponds, further positions Zelica favourably for rapid advancement.

Looking Ahead

While the maiden drilling results are promising, the company acknowledges that further work is required to delineate the full extent and economic potential of the mineralisation. The upcoming drilling campaigns and resource modelling will be critical in confirming the scale and grade continuity necessary for development decisions.

Overall, Strata Minerals’ maiden drilling at Zelica marks a significant step forward in unlocking value from this underexplored gold corridor, reinforcing the project’s status as a high-potential asset within one of Australia’s premier gold provinces.