Golden Plateau’s High-Grade Gold Results Spur Urgent Resource Update
Aeris Resources has expanded its Golden Plateau drilling program to 14,000 metres following a series of strong high-grade gold intersections, reinforcing the deposit’s potential as a key ore source for its Cracow operation.
- Drill program expanded from 6,400m to ~14,000m
- Multiple high-grade gold intersections across Ferneyside, Sunnyside, South, and West lodes
- Discovery of new Sunnyside lode adjacent to Ferneyside
- Mineralisation confirmed around historical underground workings
- Results to support updated Mineral Resource estimate and economic assessment
Golden Plateau Drilling Accelerates
Aeris Resources Limited (ASX:AIS) has announced a significant expansion of its drilling program at the Golden Plateau deposit, part of its Cracow tenement package in Queensland. The program has more than doubled from an initial 6,400 metres to approximately 14,000 metres, driven by encouraging high-grade gold assay results from multiple lodes.
The Golden Plateau deposit, historically a prolific gold producer with around 850,000 ounces mined between the 1930s and 1990s, is located just 1 kilometre north of the Cracow Processing Facility. Aeris’ recent drilling has intersected substantial gold mineralisation in the Ferneyside, Sunnyside, South, and West lodes, confirming the presence of significant remnants of mineralisation around historical underground workings.
High-Grade Intersections and New Discoveries
Noteworthy drill results include 34.5 metres at 3.1 grams per tonne gold from 184.6 metres in the South lode, and strong hits in the West lode such as 7.1 metres at 4.9 grams per tonne and 6.8 metres at 4.2 grams per tonne. The Ferneyside lode continues to deliver consistent mineralisation over a 150-metre strike length, while a newly discovered Sunnyside lode adjacent to Ferneyside has already been traced for 30 metres, suggesting further lateral extension potential.
These results not only validate the geological model but also highlight the potential for open-pit mining, particularly given the proximity of mineralisation to surface. The South lode’s remnant pillars, previously uneconomic due to selective underground mining, now present viable targets for open-pit extraction.
Strategic Implications for Cracow Operation
Executive Chairman Andre Labuschagne emphasised that the drilling success strengthens confidence in Golden Plateau as a future ore source for Cracow. The expanded drilling aims to expedite an updated Mineral Resource estimate and an economic assessment, which will underpin mine design and environmental permitting processes.
With two diamond drill rigs currently on site and half of the expanded program completed, Aeris is well positioned to rapidly advance the project. The company’s focus remains on unlocking the full potential of Golden Plateau to contribute meaningfully to its production pipeline.
Looking Ahead
As assay results continue to be received and integrated, Aeris plans to refine its geological model and assess the economic viability of the deposit. The combination of historical data, new drilling, and the discovery of additional lodes paints a promising picture for the future of Golden Plateau within Aeris’ portfolio.
Bottom Line?
Aeris’ expanded drilling at Golden Plateau could reshape Cracow’s production outlook, but the next resource update will be critical.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the updated Mineral Resource estimate impact Aeris’ production forecasts?
- What are the timelines and hurdles for environmental permitting of potential open-pit mining?
- Could further drilling reveal additional lodes beyond Sunnyside to boost resource size?
