Alice Queen Limited reveals promising trench sampling results at its Viani gold project in Fiji, identifying a new high-grade gold target that extends the known mineralised strike to over 5km.
- New high-grade gold zone discovered at Tabua’s Camp prospect
- Significant trench intercepts up to 26.83 g/t gold over multiple metres
- Gold system extends over 5km strike, open along strike and at depth
- Recent trench results align with previous high-grade drilling assays
- Further geochemical sampling and geophysics planned to refine drill targets
Exploration Breakthrough at Viani
Alice Queen Limited (ASX:AQX) has announced encouraging trench geochemical sampling results from its wholly owned Viani epithermal gold project on Vanua Levu, Fiji. The latest exploration work has identified a new high-grade gold target at the Tabua’s Camp prospect, approximately 400 metres east along strike from previous drilling zones.
The Viani project hosts a low-sulphidation epithermal gold system characterised by high-grade mineralisation extending over a strike length of around 5 kilometres. This system remains open both along strike to the west-northwest and east-southeast, as well as at depth, suggesting significant potential for further discoveries.
High-Grade Trench Results Confirm Potential
Recent trenching has delivered standout assay results, including intercepts such as 4 metres at 10.91 grams per tonne (g/t) gold with a peak 1 metre interval grading 26.06 g/t Au, and 2 metres at 13.69 g/t Au including 1 metre at 26.83 g/t Au. These results come from three parallel trenches at Tabua’s Camp and indicate a potential high-grade gold shoot within the broader 5 km mineralised structure.
Importantly, the gold mineralisation identified in trenches shows a similar geochemical signature and gold-to-silver ratio to that encountered in the 2024-2025 drilling program, which recorded high-grade gold assays up to 26.4 g/t Au at depths approaching 175 metres. This continuity between surface and underground mineralisation bodes well for the project's future resource potential.
Broader Geological Context and Next Steps
Alongside the high-grade zones, the trench program also uncovered a lower-grade gold vein system dipping steeply to the south, which remains untested at depth. This secondary mineralisation adds complexity and opportunity to the geological model.
Alice Queen’s Managing Director Andrew Buxton emphasised the value of low-cost surface exploration techniques in advancing the project. The company plans to continue surface geochemical sampling, including soils and rock chips, complemented by ground-based geophysics such as magnetics and Controlled Source Audio-frequency Magnetotellurics (CSAMT). These efforts aim to refine drill targets along the extensive strike length.
With formal agreements in place with local landowners and all necessary permits secured, Alice Queen is well positioned to accelerate its exploration program. The company’s technical team, supported by experienced advisors, is focused on delineating dilation zones that could host multiple high-grade gold shoots, a hallmark of significant epithermal deposits.
A Project Poised for Discovery
The Viani project’s evolving geological picture, supported by consistent high-grade assay results from both trenches and drilling, suggests it could emerge as a major new gold discovery in Fiji. While no formal resource estimate has yet been announced, the expanding footprint and depth continuity of mineralisation provide a compelling narrative for investors and the market.
Bottom Line?
Alice Queen’s Viani project is shaping up as a promising high-grade gold discovery, with upcoming drilling and geophysics set to unlock its full potential.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming deep drilling at Tabua’s Camp confirm the extent of high-grade shoots?
- What is the potential scale of the lower-grade southerly dipping vein system?
- How might ongoing geophysical surveys refine the targeting along the 5km strike?