Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Ltd has reported record-breaking high-grade gold and antimony intersections from its Sunday Creek project in Victoria, revealing a consistent and expanding mineral system at shallow depths.
- Record intersection of 17.3m at 22.9 g/t gold equivalent near surface
- Consistent mineralization across multiple drill orientations at Apollo prospect
- High antimony grades exceeding 20% in several intervals
- Discovery of previously unrecognized vein sets expanding the system
- Ongoing 200,000m drill program with 46 holes pending results
Record-Breaking Drill Results at Apollo
Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Ltd (ASX:SX2) has announced a significant breakthrough at its Sunday Creek Gold-Antimony Project in Victoria, Australia. Four recent drill holes at the Apollo prospect, within 220 vertical metres of surface, have returned exceptionally high-grade gold and antimony results. The standout intercept was 17.3 metres grading 22.9 grams per tonne gold equivalent (including 15.3 g/t gold and 3.2% antimony), marking the highest-grade composite recorded in the upper portion of the Apollo system to date.
This discovery is not merely infill drilling but represents new zones of mineralization, including a previously unrecognized vein set, underscoring the project's ongoing expansion potential. The results demonstrate the continuity and predictability of the vein architecture, with mineralization intersected consistently across drill holes oriented both east-to-west and west-to-east.
Strategic Importance of Antimony
Antimony, a critical metal for defence, semiconductor, and energy transition technologies, features prominently in these drill results. Several intervals exceeded 20% antimony, reflecting the epizonal nature of the deposit and its natural enrichment near surface. Given global supply constraints and China's dominant position in antimony production, Southern Cross Gold's high-grade antimony mineralization positions Sunday Creek as a strategically important Western source.
Michael Hudson, President and CEO, highlighted the significance of these grades amid the urgent reassessment of antimony supply chains. The project's dual gold-antimony profile enhances its value proposition beyond traditional gold exploration targets.
Robust Exploration Pipeline and Metallurgical Potential
Southern Cross Gold is actively drilling with ten rigs and has 46 holes pending assay results, part of a 200,000-metre drill program extending through to early 2027. The company owns 1,392 hectares of strategic freehold land at Sunday Creek, facilitating ongoing exploration and development.
Preliminary metallurgical testing indicates non-refractory mineralization amenable to conventional processing, with gold recoveries between 93% and 98% through gravity and flotation methods. This metallurgical profile supports the economic potential of the high-grade gold-antimony mineralization discovered.
Outlook and Market Positioning
Sunday Creek's geological setting within the Melbourne Structural Zone and its epizonal gold-antimony deposit style are analogous to other world-class Victorian deposits such as Fosterville and Costerfield. The project’s inclusion in strategic Western supply initiatives, including the US Defense Industrial Base Consortium and Australia's AUKUS framework, further elevates its profile as a critical minerals supplier.
With consistent high-grade results, ongoing discovery of new vein sets, and a strong exploration pipeline, Southern Cross Gold is well-positioned to advance Sunday Creek towards resource definition and potential development milestones.
Bottom Line?
Southern Cross Gold’s latest drill results at Apollo reinforce Sunday Creek’s status as a premier gold-antimony discovery with strategic critical mineral value, setting the stage for further resource growth and market attention.
Questions in the middle?
- How will pending assay results from the 46 holes influence the overall resource model?
- What are the next steps for metallurgical testing and potential pilot plant evaluation?
- How might evolving global antimony supply dynamics impact the project’s strategic value?