Miramar Resources has revealed significant shallow gold mineralisation extending over 600 metres at its Highway Prospect within the Gidji JV Project near Kalgoorlie, including high-grade intercepts up to 9.45g/t Au. The company is advancing plans for resource evaluation and further drilling to capitalise on these promising results.
- Shallow gold mineralisation confirmed over 600m strike at Highway Prospect
- High-grade intercepts include 3m at 9.45g/t gold
- Resource geologist engaged to assess potential shallow gold resources
- Planned closer spaced RC drilling to refine grade and thickness
- Claypan Prospect identified for follow-up drilling after heritage survey
Expanding the Gold Footprint at Highway
Miramar Resources Limited (ASX:M2R) has announced encouraging results from recent reverse circulation (RC) drilling at its 80%-owned Gidji Joint Venture (JV) Gold Project, situated just 15 kilometres north of the established mining hub of Kalgoorlie. The drilling campaign at the Highway Prospect has delineated coherent shallow gold mineralisation extending over a strike length exceeding 600 metres, with standout high-grade intercepts including 3 metres at 9.45 grams per tonne (g/t) gold.
This latest phase of drilling builds on Miramar’s ongoing exploration success since 2020, highlighting Highway as a key discovery within the broader Gidji JV portfolio. The mineralisation occurs at relatively shallow vertical depths between 47 and 56 metres, which bodes well for potential economic extraction. A parallel mineralised trend has also been identified approximately 100 metres west, further expanding the prospectivity of the area.
Strategic Steps Towards Resource Definition
Recognising the significance of these findings, Miramar has engaged a resource geologist to evaluate the potential for defining one or more shallow gold resources at Gidji. Managing Director Marion Bush emphasised the strategic advantage of the project’s location, noting its proximity to the Goldfields Highway and several processing plants near Kalgoorlie. This infrastructure access could facilitate multiple pathways to monetise any discovered deposits, particularly given the current favourable gold price environment.
While the current drilling spacing averages about 50 metres, considered broad for resource estimation, the company plans to conduct closer spaced RC drilling focused on the most promising intersections. This approach aims to better delineate the grade and thickness of the shallow gold mineralisation, a critical step towards establishing a maiden resource.
Claypan Prospect and Broader Exploration Outlook
In addition to Highway, Miramar has identified the Claypan Prospect through compilation of historical data. Located approximately 200 metres east of the Goldfields Highway and along strike from the Crossroads and Kanowna Belle gold deposits, Claypan sits on a major geological unconformity known to be associated with significant gold mineralisation in the region.
Historical drilling at Claypan has revealed sporadic bedrock gold mineralisation over a strike length of about one kilometre, although the drill spacing remains wide compared to nearby deposits. Following a heritage survey, Miramar intends to undertake RC drilling to infill and potentially extend the known mineralisation at Claypan, further enhancing the Gidji JV’s exploration potential.
Chain Pool Project and Operational Challenges
Miramar is also preparing for an auger drilling campaign at its 100%-owned Chain Pool Project in Western Australia’s Gascoyne region. This project targets sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX)-style copper, lead, and silver mineralisation at the Joy Helen prospect, marking the first drilling activity there since 1964. However, the planned field mobilisation has been delayed due to the impact of Tropical Cyclone Narelle, introducing some timing uncertainty to this phase of exploration.
Overall, Miramar’s recent drilling results and ongoing exploration initiatives underscore the company’s ambition to unlock a new gold camp within the underexplored Gidji JV Project area. The combination of shallow, high-grade gold mineralisation and strategic location near established infrastructure positions Miramar well to advance towards resource definition and potential development.
Bottom Line?
Miramar’s expanded shallow gold footprint at Gidji sets the stage for resource definition, but closer drilling and operational timing remain key to unlocking value.
Questions in the middle?
- How will closer spaced drilling at Highway refine resource estimates and impact project economics?
- What are the implications of the Claypan Prospect’s geological setting for potential large-scale mineralisation?
- When will Chain Pool drilling resume following cyclone delays, and what might initial results reveal?