Tarrina Resources has validated historic high-grade gold mineralisation at its Christmas Gift project in NSW through initial diamond drilling results, revealing significant widths and grades that support further exploration.
- 31m gold intersection including 23.12 g/t peak grade
- Historic mining voids indicate substantial remaining resource
- Zinc and copper identified as pathfinder metals
- Further assays and drilling results expected by end of May
- Well-funded with AUD 2.7 million cash as of March 2026
First Diamond Drill Hole Validates Historic High-Grade Gold
Tarrina Resources (ASX:TR8) has delivered a promising start to its Phase One diamond drilling program at the Christmas Gift Gold Project in southern New South Wales, confirming the presence of high-grade gold mineralisation consistent with historic mine workings. The initial hole, CGDH001, intersected 31 metres of gold-bearing rock including standout assays such as 0.75 metres grading 23.12 g/t Au and 2.64 metres at 10.49 g/t Au. These results not only validate past drilling but reveal one of the widest gold intersections recorded at the project to date, underscoring the potential for a substantial remaining resource despite historic extraction.
The intersection spans both the hanging wall and footwall of a 3-metre-wide historic stope, which represents a mining void where gold was previously extracted. Including this void, the total mineralised width reaches 34 metres, indicating significant gold remains unmined. The ore body dips approximately 45 degrees east, meaning the reported widths closely approximate true thicknesses. The assay results align spatially with visible zinc and copper mineralisation, suggesting these base metals could serve as effective pathfinder elements in future exploration efforts.
Strategic Follow-Up Planned as Assays and Modelling Progress
Tarrina is awaiting further assay results for zinc and copper, expected by the end of May, which will clarify the base metal content and help refine exploration targeting. The company plans to complete core logging and full assays for the Phase One drilling, alongside low-level gold assays from recent auger soil sampling. Integration of these datasets aims to update 2D and 3D geological models, enhancing understanding of mineralisation controls and guiding follow-up drilling.
Subsequent programs include RC drilling to infill and extend the newly confirmed gold mineralisation along strike and down dip, particularly between the Christmas Gift mine and the Cullinga Extended mine. These efforts are designed to confirm and expand known mineralisation, generate data for future Mineral Resource estimates, and systematically test other high-priority zones such as Venables and the Western Zone. The project spans approximately 22 square kilometres and benefits from a rich history of high-grade production and drilling, with historic intersections exceeding 10 g/t Au over multiple metres.
Robust Funding and Broader Exploration Pipeline
The company remains well capitalised, reporting approximately AUD 2.7 million cash at bank as of 31 March 2026, supporting ongoing exploration activities. Beyond Christmas Gift, Tarrina continues to advance its South Australian projects at Walparuta and Yongala, focusing on IOCG copper-gold and rare earth element targets through geological studies and planned drilling programs. The integration of historic data with new geophysical and geochemical surveys has recently revealed significant untested targets at Walparuta, expanding the company’s growth avenues.
These developments build on the momentum from the company’s recent pending assay results confirmation and the initial drilling program launch at Christmas Gift, which collectively underpin the evolving exploration narrative. As assay results mature and drilling advances, Tarrina’s strategic focus will be on delineating a maiden Mineral Resource estimate and unlocking the full potential of this historic gold district.
Bottom Line?
Tarrina’s first diamond drill results at Christmas Gift reaffirm high-grade gold potential, but upcoming assays and follow-up drilling will be critical to defining the resource scale and economic viability.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming zinc and copper assay results influence exploration targeting and resource modelling?
- Can follow-up RC drilling confirm extensions along strike and at depth to support a maiden resource estimate?
- What impact will historic mining voids have on resource continuity and future mine planning?