Mount Ida Soil Sampling Identifies Gold Anomalies; 1,650m Drilling Set for February
Juno Minerals has identified additional gold-in-soil anomalies at its Mount Ida project through a wide spaced soil sampling program, setting the stage for a first pass drill campaign targeting the promising QV1 quartz vein structure.
- Phase 2 soil sampling reveals new gold and pathfinder element anomalies
- Anomalies consistent with southern QV1 gold-bearing quartz vein
- First pass 1,650m reverse circulation drill program planned for late February
- Heritage clearance and site preparation underway
- Further infill soil sampling and ground truthing scheduled post-drilling
Expanding the Gold Footprint at Mount Ida
Juno Minerals Limited (ASX – JNO) has announced encouraging results from its Phase 2 wide spaced soil sampling program at the Mount Ida gold project in Western Australia. The program targeted northern areas of the tenement M29/414 that had not been previously sampled, using an advanced ultrafine fraction geochemical method developed by CSIRO. This technique focuses on the clay-sized fraction of soil to detect subtle geochemical signatures indicative of gold mineralisation.
The assay results have identified additional gold anomalies accompanied by elevated levels of pathfinder elements such as copper, tellurium, and tungsten. These anomalies align with the geochemical footprint of the southern QV1 prospect, a northeast-southwest trending quartz vein where auriferous mineralisation has already been confirmed over approximately 160 metres of exposed outcrop.
Preparing for the First Pass Drill Program
Building on these promising soil results, Juno plans to commence a first pass reverse circulation drill program by the end of February 2026. The program will comprise approximately 1,650 metres of drilling across 15 lines of shallow holes beneath the QV1 structure, targeting both exposed and interpreted sub-outcropping quartz vein extensions totalling around 390 metres. The drilling is managed by BM Geological Services from Kalgoorlie, with site mobilisation scheduled following the completion of a Heritage Clearance Survey in mid-February.
This drill campaign represents a critical step in testing the continuity and grade of gold mineralisation beneath the surface anomalies. The results will provide essential data to refine the geological model and assess the potential for resource development.
Rigorous Sampling and Tenement Security
The soil sampling program adhered to industry best practices, including rigorous quality assurance and quality control protocols such as field duplicates and certified reference materials. Samples were collected on a nominal 500m by 100m grid, ensuring broad coverage of previously untested ground. All samples were analysed by LabWest in Perth using the CSIRO-backed Ultrafine+ method, which offers high sensitivity for gold and multi-element detection.
Juno holds full ownership of the Mount Ida tenement, which remains in good standing with no native title impediments. The geological setting within the Archean Youanmi Terrane is known for hosting gold mineralisation associated with greenstone belts and quartz vein systems, adding further geological credibility to the exploration targets.
Looking Ahead
Following the initial drilling, Juno plans to conduct further high-level ground truthing and infill soil sampling on a tighter grid to better delineate the anomalies. These steps will be crucial in building a comprehensive understanding of the mineralisation and guiding subsequent exploration phases.
With the Mount Ida project advancing rapidly from geochemical discovery to drill testing, Juno Minerals is positioning itself to unlock value in a historically prospective gold region. The market will be watching closely for the upcoming drill results, which could significantly influence the project’s trajectory.
Bottom Line?
Juno’s imminent drilling at Mount Ida could be the key to confirming a new gold resource in a well-endowed region.
Questions in the middle?
- What grades and widths will the upcoming drill program reveal beneath the QV1 structure?
- How extensive are the newly identified northern gold anomalies beyond initial soil sampling?
- What impact will the drilling results have on Juno’s exploration strategy and project valuation?
