Gorilla Gold has secured critical drilling permits for its Comet Vale Gold Project, enabling exploration on high-priority, previously untested targets and expanding its resource potential. New tenure acquisition further broadens the project’s footprint in Western Australia.
- Key drilling permits granted by DEMIRS for Comet Vale
- Drilling commenced on high-priority, undrilled targets with Lakeview-style signatures
- New tenure secured north of Comet Vale, expanding exploration potential
- Current Mineral Resource Estimate stands at 860,000 ounces at 3.7 g/t gold
- Multiple drill rigs active at Comet Vale and Mulwarrie with results expected soon
Permit Approval Sparks New Exploration Phase
Gorilla Gold Mines Ltd has announced the granting of key drilling permits for its 100%-owned Comet Vale Gold Project in Western Australia. This regulatory green light from the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) clears the way for the company to commence drilling on a suite of high-priority targets that had previously been inaccessible due to permit delays.
These targets are particularly compelling as many are historical mines that have never been drilled, yet exhibit geological and geochemical signatures closely matching Gorilla Gold’s successful 2025 discoveries at Lakeview, Sovereign North, and Cheer. The company’s CEO, Charles Hughes, emphasised the significance of this milestone, describing the permit grants as a pivotal catalyst for the project’s next growth phase.
Building on a Strong Resource Base
Comet Vale currently holds a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 860,000 ounces of gold at an average grade of 3.7 grams per tonne. Last year’s drilling program delivered a remarkable 900% increase in resources, adding 750,000 ounces through new discoveries. The newly permitted drilling program aims to replicate that success by targeting similar geological structures and geochemical anomalies identified through ongoing soil sampling.
Soil sampling campaigns have refined targeting, identifying six new high-priority ‘Lakeview-style’ prospects scheduled for immediate drilling. These include Sovereign East, Lakeview South, Sovereign South, Happy Jack, and Lady Margaret, each with strong surface geochemical anomalies, historical workings, and minimal prior drilling.
Expanding the Project Footprint
In addition to the permit news, Gorilla Gold has secured new tenure north of Comet Vale, significantly expanding the project’s footprint. Although this area is largely unexplored and dominated by granite lithologies, it hosts structural features interpreted as extensions of known mineralised zones. The company plans to undertake geochemical sampling and drilling once tenure is fully granted, potentially unlocking further resource upside.
Currently, three drill rigs are active at Comet Vale, focusing on both infill and growth drilling, while two rigs operate at the nearby Mulwarrie Project for resource extension. Results from these programs are eagerly anticipated in the coming weeks and will be critical in validating the exploration thesis and guiding future development plans.
Strategic Positioning in a Proven Gold District
Located about 100 kilometres north of Kalgoorlie, Comet Vale benefits from granted mining leases, proximity to multiple operational gold mills, and established road infrastructure. The project area is characterised by a 10-kilometre by 3-kilometre zone of interrelated structural deformation, including the Sovereign, King Kong, and Silver Back shear zones, which are key hosts to gold mineralisation.
Gorilla Gold’s methodical approach, leveraging simple but effective exploration criteria such as strong surface geochemical anomalies, identifiable structures, and underexplored targets, has proven successful. The company’s ongoing work, including metallurgical and geotechnical studies, supports a comprehensive strategy to grow resources and advance the project toward potential development.
Bottom Line?
With drilling underway on fresh targets and new ground secured, Gorilla Gold is poised to extend its resource momentum at Comet Vale; next results will be closely watched.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the new drilling confirm high-grade extensions comparable to 2025 discoveries?
- How significant is the exploration potential of the newly secured northern tenure?
- What impact will upcoming metallurgical and geotechnical studies have on project development timelines?