Pantoro Gold’s latest drilling at Scotia confirms significant high-grade gold zones well below current resources, prompting approval for new mining levels and bolstering production prospects for FY2027 despite recent delays.
- Extensional drilling reveals wide, high-grade gold mineralisation beyond current resources
- Grade control drilling confirms multiple high-grade intersections within existing mine plan
- Additional mining levels approved, extending Scotia’s mine life
- Ongoing drilling program supports growth ambitions at Norseman Gold Project
- Production flexibility improving despite FY2026 setbacks
High-Grade Extensions Confirmed Below Scotia Resource
Pantoro Gold Limited (ASX:PNR) has unveiled compelling results from its ongoing diamond drilling program at the Scotia Underground Mine, part of its 100%-owned Norseman Gold Project in Western Australia. The extensional drilling in Central Scotia has revealed wide zones of high-grade gold mineralisation extending at least 50 metres below the current Indicated Mineral Resource, with the mineralisation remaining open at depth. This discovery supports the potential for additional development levels beyond the existing mine plan, signalling a meaningful resource upside.
Among the standout intercepts are intervals such as 16.09 metres at 10.59 g/t Au, including bonanza sub-intervals exceeding 30 g/t Au, and multiple other intersections boasting grades above 20 g/t Au over significant widths. These results underscore the robust tenor of the mineralisation and its continuity beneath the current resource envelope.
Grade Control Drilling Validates Existing Mine Plan and Adds Flexibility
Alongside extensional drilling, grade control efforts at Scotia North and Taurus have returned multiple high-grade intersections within the current mine plan. These results are crucial for maintaining ore feed quality and operational flexibility, enabling Pantoro to adapt mining schedules and optimise production. Notably, intersections such as 3.35 metres at 14.82 g/t Au (including 2.7 metres at 18.11 g/t) and 4.8 metres at 15.57 g/t Au at Taurus reinforce the strength of known orebodies.
Pantoro’s Managing Director Paul Cmrlec highlighted that development at Scotia North is unlocking new mineralisation for production, which will materially improve production flexibility. This aligns with the company’s broader strategy to ramp up underground output across Norseman, as outlined in their recent plans to launch additional mines and expand production capacity.
Mine Life Extended with Additional Levels Approved
In response to the encouraging drilling results, Pantoro has approved the development of additional mining levels outside of the current mine plan, effectively extending the Scotia mine life. This decision reflects confidence in the continuity and grade of the mineralisation at depth and along strike, underpinning the company’s growth ambitions.
Although FY2026 production has experienced delays due to various operational factors, the company remains optimistic about Scotia’s long-term potential. The underground mine currently holds a Mineral Resource of 1.90 million tonnes at 5.32 g/t Au for 329,000 ounces, positioning it as the largest underground operation within the Norseman complex in the coming years.
Sustained Drilling Program Supports Production Growth Outlook
Pantoro plans to continue its aggressive drilling campaign with approximately 250,000 metres scheduled for FY2026 across reverse circulation, diamond, and air core methods. This sustained exploration effort is aimed at further resource expansion and mine optimisation.
These developments dovetail with the company’s recent operational updates, including a robust first half of FY2026 marked by record EBITDA and cash flow, albeit with revised production guidance due to weather and contractor transitions. The appointment of Redpath as sole underground contractor from May 2026 is expected to streamline underground operations and support growth. The current drilling results at Scotia complement other high-grade discoveries at Norseman, such as the Butterfly zone, reinforcing Pantoro’s position as a growing gold producer in WA’s Eastern Goldfields.
With the Norseman Gold Project’s total Mineral Resource standing at 4.6 million ounces and Ore Reserves at 859,000 ounces, Pantoro’s strategy to scale underground mining and increase production towards 200,000 ounces annually appears increasingly tangible, provided operational execution aligns with exploration success.
Bottom Line?
Pantoro’s Scotia drilling confirms promising high-grade extensions and mine life growth, setting the stage for potential production gains in FY2027 amid ongoing operational challenges.
Questions in the middle?
- How will Pantoro’s approval of additional mining levels at Scotia influence production scheduling and capital expenditure?
- What impact will the ongoing drilling results have on the next Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve update planned for September 2026?
- Can operational delays in FY2026 be fully mitigated to realise the anticipated production growth from Scotia and other Norseman underground mines?