Great Western’s Aggressive Drilling Push Could Make or Break Yerrida Prospects

Great Western Exploration is set to begin drilling nine copper-gold targets in the Yerrida Basin, backed by a $3.75 million capital raise and strong cash reserves. The campaign kicks off mid-April at the Oval target, which shows promising geological parallels to the nearby DeGrussa deposit.

  • Nine copper-gold targets to be drilled starting mid-April 2026
  • Oval target drilling designed to 750m depth, testing a VHMS system
  • Fully permitted drilling at Juggernaut’s six targets secured
  • Concurrent regional exploration to advance additional targets
  • Strong cash position of $4.3 million supports aggressive campaign
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A Bold Step Into Copper-Gold Exploration

Great Western Exploration (ASX:GTE) has announced the imminent commencement of a significant drilling campaign targeting nine copper-gold prospects within its Yerrida North Project in Western Australia. This campaign, fully funded by a recent $3.75 million capital raising, marks an aggressive push to unlock value in a region geologically akin to the prolific DeGrussa copper-gold deposit.

The first drill hole is scheduled to begin in mid-April 2026 at the Oval target, a site interpreted as the core of a Volcanic Hosted Massive Sulphide (VHMS) system. The drill hole is designed to reach 750 metres, aiming to test a gravity anomaly coincident with a geologically modelled VHMS horizon. This anomaly is thought to represent dense massive sulphides, potentially signalling a rich copper-gold mineralising system similar to DeGrussa.

Strategic Targeting Across Multiple Prospects

Following Oval, the company plans to drill the Diorama target in May, then move to six fully permitted targets at Juggernaut, and finally the Baroo target by mid-year. The Juggernaut targets have recently received all necessary access approvals, clearing the way for uninterrupted exploration. Concurrently, Great Western will advance regional exploration efforts to bring additional copper-gold prospects to drill-ready status, underscoring a comprehensive approach to resource discovery.

Great Western’s Yerrida Basin tenure covers a vast and underexplored area near Meekatharra, with geological features and rock ages comparable to the Bryah Basin, home to DeGrussa. The company’s exploration strategy leverages modern geophysical techniques, including ground gravity surveys and 3D inversion modelling, to pinpoint high-potential mineralisation zones.

Financial Strength and Market Position

With a cash balance of $4.3 million as of March 2026, Great Western is well positioned financially to execute this ambitious drilling program. The company’s leadership, including Managing Director Shane Pike, has expressed confidence in the potential of these targets to deliver significant discoveries that could reshape the company’s outlook.

While the results of the drilling campaign remain to be seen, the combination of strong geological indicators, comprehensive permitting, and solid funding sets a promising stage. Investors and market watchers will be keenly observing assay results and subsequent updates as Great Western advances its exploration agenda.

Bottom Line?

Great Western’s upcoming drilling campaign could be a pivotal moment, with results poised to influence its trajectory in the copper-gold sector.

Questions in the middle?

  • Will the Oval target confirm the presence of a large VHMS copper-gold system?
  • How will assay results from Juggernaut’s six targets impact resource estimates?
  • What timeline can investors expect for advancing regional targets to drilling?