GoldArc Resources has revealed promising high-grade gold intercepts from maiden Aircore drilling at the Whistler Prospect, confirming new blind gold mineralisation zones within its Leonora South Project.
- Maiden Aircore drilling identifies new gold mineralised systems at Whistler Prospect
- High-grade 1m assays up to 7.20 g/t gold from shallow depths
- Multiple mineralised zones discovered, including a 100m wide open-ended eastern zone
- Follow-up drilling programs imminent across multiple deposits
- Ongoing 34,000m grade control drilling at Mt Stirling deposit
Exploration Breakthrough at Whistler
GoldArc Resources (ASX:GA8) has announced a significant exploration milestone with the discovery of new blind gold mineralisation zones at its Whistler Prospect, part of the Leonora South Gold Project in Western Australia. The maiden Aircore drilling program, conducted in an area previously untested by modern methods, has returned encouraging high-grade gold intercepts, including a standout 1 metre assay grading 7.20 grams per tonne (g/t) from 46 metres depth.
This discovery is particularly notable as it confirms the presence of multiple mineralised zones beneath cover, with the easternmost zone remaining open-ended and coinciding with a magnetic low anomaly. These findings suggest a potentially substantial and previously unrecognised gold system within the project area.
Details of the Mineralised Zones
The drilling delineated four distinct mineralised zones at Whistler. Zone 1, the easternmost and most promising, spans approximately 100 metres and features high-grade gold within foliated high-zirconium granite, a geological setting reminiscent of the nearby Gruyere deposit. Significant intercepts here include multiple 1m assays above 1 g/t Au, highlighting the potential for economic mineralisation.
Zones 2 and 3 also returned notable gold values, with Zone 2 showing shallow mineralisation coinciding with a strong soil anomaly, and Zone 3 aligning with historic small shafts. Zone 4, though lower grade, further confirms the widespread nature of gold mineralisation across the prospect.
Strategic Follow-Up and Broader Exploration Plans
Building on these promising results, GoldArc is rapidly advancing its exploration strategy. A follow-up Aircore drilling program at Whistler is set to commence imminently to further test and expand the identified zones. Concurrently, a substantial 6,500-metre Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling campaign will target the Orion, Sapphire, Eclipse, and Euroa deposits, all within the broader Leonora South Project.
Additionally, a large-scale 34,000-metre RC grade control program is underway at the Mt Stirling deposit, aimed at refining resource estimates and supporting potential mining operations. These coordinated efforts underscore GoldArc’s commitment to systematically grow its resource base and unlock value across its portfolio.
Implications for GoldArc’s Growth Prospects
Managing Director Paul Stephen emphasised the technical success of the maiden Aircore program, highlighting the discovery of ‘blind’ gold mineralisation in an underexplored area. The geological similarities to established deposits like Gruyere add further intrigue to the potential scale and quality of the mineralisation.
While these early results are encouraging, they represent an initial step in what will be a comprehensive exploration and evaluation process. The upcoming drilling campaigns will be critical in confirming the continuity, extent, and economic viability of the new discoveries.
Bottom Line?
GoldArc’s new blind gold discoveries at Leonora South could redefine its resource potential, with follow-up drilling poised to unlock further value.
Questions in the middle?
- How extensive and continuous are the newly identified mineralised zones at Whistler?
- What impact will these discoveries have on GoldArc’s overall resource estimates and valuation?
- Can the upcoming RC drilling programs confirm economic viability and support development plans?