New High-Grade Gold Zone at Viani Raises Stakes for Alice Queen’s Fiji Ambitions

Expanding the Viani Gold Footprint

Alice Queen Limited (ASX:AQX) has delivered encouraging results from its recent trench geochemical sampling program at the Viani epithermal gold project on Vanua Levu, Fiji. The company’s exploration efforts have identified a new high-grade gold zone at the Tabua’s Camp prospect, approximately 400 metres east along strike from previous drilling at the Central Prospect area.

This discovery extends the known low-sulphidation epithermal gold system to a strike length of around 5 kilometres, which remains open both along strike and at depth. The trench results include standout assays such as 4 metres at 10.91 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, including 1 metre at 26.06 g/t, and 2 metres at 13.69 g/t gold, including 1 metre at 26.83 g/t. These grades are consistent with the high-grade mineralisation intersected in Alice Queen’s 2024-2025 drilling campaign, which demonstrated continuity of gold mineralisation down to approximately 175 metres below surface.

Geological Context and Exploration Strategy

The Viani project hosts a classic low-sulphidation epithermal gold system characterised by brecciated, silicified quartz veins with associated base metals. The newly identified high-grade zone at Tabua’s Camp is aligned with a primary 5 km mineralised structure that dips north and strikes east-west, mirroring the orientation of mineralisation found in drilling.

In addition to the high-grade shoots, trench sampling has revealed a secondary, lower-grade gold vein dipping steeply south, which has not yet been tested by drilling. This suggests a more complex mineralised system with multiple structural controls, prompting ongoing work to understand the controls on high-grade shoots and the significance of the secondary vein.

Looking Ahead: Drilling and Surface Work

Alice Queen plans to continue surface geochemical sampling, including trenching, soil, and rock chip programs, alongside ground-based geophysical surveys such as magnetics and Controlled Source Audio-frequency Magnetotellurics (CSAMT). These efforts aim to refine drill targets along the extensive 5 km strike and test priority areas like Tabua’s Camp and Dakuniba East.

With previous drilling confirming high-grade gold mineralisation at depth and the recent trench results extending surface footprints, the company is optimistic about the potential for a significant new gold discovery. Managing Director Andrew Buxton highlighted that the low-cost surface work is proving invaluable in identifying new zones to test, reinforcing confidence that Viani could emerge as a major gold project.

Broader Regional Significance

The Viani project sits within a geologically prospective region of Fiji known for epithermal gold deposits, including the historic Mount Kasi Mine, which produced high-grade gold ore in the early 20th century. Alice Queen’s exploration builds on decades of regional work by previous operators and integrates modern techniques to unlock the project’s potential.

The company’s methodical approach, combining trench sampling, drilling, and geophysical surveys, positions Viani as a compelling exploration story in the Pacific, with the potential to deliver meaningful value to shareholders as the project advances.