GoldArc Resources and BML Ventures have confirmed high-grade gold mineralisation continuity at Mt Stirling and Stirling Well through a recent diamond drilling campaign, advancing their mining implementation plans.
- High-grade gold intercepts up to 30.2 g/t confirmed at Mt Stirling and Stirling Well
- PQ-diameter diamond drilling supports final metallurgical and geotechnical studies
- Ongoing extensive RC and AC drilling programs across multiple Leonora North deposits
- Resource base expansion efforts targeting over 200,000 ounces of gold
- Transition from exploration to production phase underway
Diamond Drilling Confirms Gold Continuity
GoldArc Resources Limited (ASX:GA8), in partnership with BML Ventures Pty Ltd, has delivered promising results from its recent PQ-diameter diamond drilling campaign at the Mt Stirling and Stirling Well deposits within the Leonora North Gold Project. The drilling program, comprising four holes totaling approximately 316 meters, has yielded high-grade gold intercepts that validate the continuity and quality of mineralisation in these key deposits.
Notable assay results include a 5.6-meter intercept grading 8.71 grams per tonne (g/t) gold at Mt Stirling, with a standout 3-meter section hitting 15.53 g/t from 106.4 meters depth. At Stirling Well, a 1.57-meter interval returned an impressive 14.2 g/t gold, including a 1-meter segment at 30.2 g/t. These results reinforce the deposits’ potential and provide critical data for refining the mining implementation plan.
Metallurgical and Geotechnical Insights
The primary objective of the diamond drilling was to obtain high-quality core samples for detailed metallurgical and geotechnical testing. These tests are essential to understand ore characteristics, including mineralogy and hardness, which influence processing efficiency and recovery rates. The data will underpin the design of crushing and grinding circuits and help optimise reagent use in future processing facilities.
GoldArc’s Managing Director, Paul Stephen, emphasised the significance of these results, stating that securing PQ core samples marks a pivotal step in de-risking the project as the company transitions from exploration to production. The metallurgical and geotechnical insights gained will complete the final pieces of the mining plan puzzle.
Expanding the Resource Base with Aggressive Drilling
Alongside the diamond drilling, GoldArc is advancing multiple large-scale drilling programs. A 34,000-meter reverse circulation (RC) grade control program is underway at Mt Stirling, aimed at refining resource estimates and supporting mine planning. Additionally, a ~6,500-meter RC drilling campaign is active across the Orion, Sapphire, Eclipse, Justice, and Euroa deposits, all part of the broader Leonora North portfolio.
Complementing these efforts, an aircore (AC) drilling program is targeting mineralisation extensions at Whistler and southern prospects of Cosmopolitan and Altona. These combined exploration activities reflect GoldArc’s commitment to expanding its current JORC-compliant resource base, which stands at approximately 200,000 ounces of gold across its projects.
Geological Context and Future Outlook
The Mt Stirling deposit features mineralisation associated with hydrothermally altered meta-basalt and structurally controlled quartz veins, while Stirling Well hosts gold within quartz vein systems in granodiorite intrusives. This geological diversity presents multiple opportunities for resource growth and mining optimisation.
GoldArc’s systematic approach, combining high-quality drilling with rigorous metallurgical and geotechnical analysis, positions the company well as it moves toward production. The ongoing drilling campaigns and forthcoming test results will be closely watched by investors eager to see how these developments translate into resource upgrades and project economics.
Bottom Line?
GoldArc’s high-grade drilling success and aggressive exploration signal a promising transition from explorer to producer in the Leonora Goldfields.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the upcoming metallurgical and geotechnical test results impact the final mining plan and processing design?
- What are the timelines and expected outcomes for the ongoing RC and AC drilling programs across satellite deposits?
- Could these drilling results trigger a significant upgrade to GoldArc’s current 200,000-ounce resource base?