Resolution Minerals is set to kick off a major 13,700-metre diamond drilling program at its Golden Gate project in Idaho, aiming to expand gold discoveries and delineate tungsten mineralisation near historical workings.
- Two MP1500 diamond core rigs arriving on site
- Up to 45 holes planned across 13,700 metres
- Focus on expanding gold mineralisation at Golden Gate North and South
- Tungsten targets include historical mine area and soil anomalies
- Infrastructure and access re-established ahead of drilling start
Major Drill Program Underway at Golden Gate
Resolution Minerals Ltd (ASX:RML) is mobilising two MP1500 diamond core drill rigs to its Golden Gate project in Idaho, with drilling expected to commence late next week. The Phase 2 program will deliver up to 13,700 metres of diamond drilling across as many as 45 holes, targeting both gold and tungsten mineralisation. This ambitious campaign aims to build on the successful 2025 exploration results that revealed significant gold intercepts open in multiple directions.
The Golden Gate project lies within Resolution’s Horse Heaven Antimony-Tungsten-Gold-Silver Project and borders Perpetua Resources’ recently permitted Stibnite Gold Project, a C$4.8 billion enterprise. The proximity to such a major neighbour underscores the potential scale of mineralisation in the region and adds strategic value to Resolution’s tenure.
Expanding Gold Discoveries at Golden Gate North and South
The upcoming drilling will focus heavily on Golden Gate North and South targets. At Golden Gate North, the program combines infill and step-out drilling to extend known gold mineralisation, following up on holes like HH-GG25-001C, which returned 189.2 metres at 1.30 g/t gold, finishing in mineralisation and thus leaving open the possibility of deeper extensions. Meanwhile, Golden Gate South drilling will build on the new discovery from hole HH-GG25-013R, which intersected 99.1 metres at 0.38 g/t gold from surface.
These targets remain open at depth and along strike, reflecting the potential for a substantial resource. The program’s ultimate goal is to define the scale and extent of gold mineralisation sufficiently to support a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate targeted for Q1 2027, contingent on positive results.
Tungsten Targets Include Historical Mine and Soil Anomalies
Tungsten exploration is a key pillar of the program, with drilling aimed at extensions around the historic Golden Gate Tungsten Mine, last active in 1980. Composite samples from stockpiles at the Johnson Creek Mill site assayed 1.85% WO3, and recent drilling intersected tungsten mineralisation including 21 metres at 0.06% W, with an 8-metre zone at 0.14% W.
Additionally, a broad tungsten soil anomaly covering approximately 500 by 600 metres at Golden Gate South will be tested, targeting coincident gold and tungsten mineralisation. This multi-element focus aligns with Resolution’s strategy to unlock value from both metals in this emerging district-scale system.
Infrastructure and Access Re-established for Drilling
Access to the Golden Gate site has been restored, with support infrastructure including camp facilities and a state-of-the-art water filtration system now in place. The Johnson Creek Road, the main access route, is undergoing roadworks funded in part by Perpetua Resources, which requires the road for heavy haulage to its Stibnite project, illustrating cooperative infrastructure development in the area.
Resolution’s technical support team has arrived on site, with drill crews to follow shortly as the rigs are mobilised. This logistical groundwork sets the stage for a well-supported and efficient drilling campaign.
The Phase 2 drilling program follows Resolution’s recent success in producing a high-grade tungsten concentrate from Golden Gate stockpiles, achieving a 19-fold upgrade to 52.3% WO3, which demonstrates the project’s metallurgical potential and complements the exploration efforts underway 52.3% WO3 tungsten concentrate. Furthermore, the program is supported by capital raised in April 2026, with A$20 million secured to accelerate US critical minerals projects including the Golden Gate drilling A$20M to Fast-Track US Projects.
CEO of US Operations Craig Lindsay highlighted the excitement around the extensive drill program and the ongoing mobilisation efforts, signalling Resolution’s commitment to advancing its US critical minerals portfolio.
Bottom Line?
The upcoming drill results will be critical in defining Golden Gate’s resource potential and could shape Resolution’s next phase of growth in a competitive US critical minerals landscape.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the Phase 2 drilling confirm extensions of high-grade gold mineralisation at depth and along strike?
- How extensive and economically viable will the tungsten mineralisation prove around historical workings and soil anomalies?
- What impact will assay results have on the timing and scale of a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate targeted for early 2027?