GoldArc Confirms High-Grade Gold Continuity at Mt Stirling
GoldArc Resources has delivered a fresh batch of RC drilling assays from Mt Stirling, reinforcing the presence of consistent high-grade gold shoots and broad mineralised zones in the central sector. The partner-funded program, now 38% complete, is shaping mine planning for potential open-pit development.
- Third batch of RC assays confirms grade continuity
- Significant high-grade and wider intercepts reported
- 38% of 34,000m grade control drilling completed
- Program fully funded by BML Ventures under profit share
- Data supports advancing mine planning and optimisation
New Assays Highlight Grade Continuity at Mt Stirling
GoldArc Resources (ASX:GA8) has released a third tranche of assay results from its partner-funded Reverse Circulation (RC) grade control drilling at the Mt Stirling gold deposit in Western Australia. Covering 81 holes and 2,324 metres in the central sector, the results underscore the interpreted continuity of high-grade gold shoots, a critical factor for mine planning and optimisation studies as the project inches closer to potential open-pit development.
The standout intercepts include narrow but rich zones such as 1 metre at 9.46 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 13 metres and 4 metres at 5.28 g/t from surface, alongside broader mineralised envelopes like 10 metres at 1.80 g/t. These findings align with previous batches, confirming both high-grade shoots controlled structurally by the Hydra Fault and wider lower-grade zones that will influence extraction strategies.
Progress and Funding of the Grade Control Program
About 12,852 metres of the 34,000-metre RC program have been completed to date, representing roughly 38% of the total planned drilling. This extensive program is fully funded by BML Ventures Pty Ltd under a 50/50 net profit share agreement, allowing GoldArc to preserve capital for new discoveries across its 936 square kilometre Leonora district footprint. The drilling is contractor-operated by Datum Drilling, with assays conducted at Bureau Veritas in Kalgoorlie under rigorous quality assurance protocols.
GoldArc’s Managing Director Paul Stephen highlighted the significance of both the high-grade narrow shoots and the broader mineralised zones, noting that the data provides “useful additional grade control information” to support ongoing geological modelling and mine planning. The continuity of mineralisation across both the north-western and central sectors of Mt Stirling provides confidence in the deposit’s lateral extent and structural controls, which is vital for optimising future mining operations.
Geological Consistency and Implications for Mine Planning
The mineralised zones at Mt Stirling are associated with high-strain schistose-mylonitic deformation within the Hydra Fault and hydrothermally altered meta-basalt units. Gold mineralisation is closely linked with silicified, sulphidic intervals enriched in arsenic, consistent with the geological model established in prior drilling campaigns. This consistency is expected to streamline geological interpretation and enhance the accuracy of grade control models feeding into mine scheduling.
The detailed drill spacing, with fences 8 metres apart and holes approximately 6 metres apart, is designed to provide the resolution required for production scheduling, helping to minimise dilution and maximise gold recovery. The program’s results will feed directly into mine planning under the BML Ventures profit share arrangement, advancing Mt Stirling toward potential open-pit mining.
Next Steps and Broader Project Context
GoldArc plans to continue the 34,000-metre RC grade control program at both Mt Stirling and the nearby Stirling Well project, with further assay batches expected to be released progressively. This drilling campaign builds on the company’s recent strategic moves, including the full acquisition of Mt Stirling and partner-funded drilling campaigns across its Leonora North and South projects, as outlined in the company’s prior updates.
The ongoing drilling complements GoldArc’s broader Leonora district strategy, which recently secured A$7.2 million in funding to accelerate exploration along the Ursus Fault corridor, aiming to expand its resource base and advance production plans. The combination of robust grade control data and strategic capital partnerships positions GoldArc to refine its mine plans and move closer to unlocking value from its 200,000-ounce JORC resource base.
Investors will be watching the forthcoming assay releases closely, as they will provide further clarity on the deposit’s grade distribution and continuity, essential for any future development decision. The evolving geological model and mine planning work will also be critical in assessing the project's economic potential under the profit share framework with BML Ventures.
Bottom Line?
GoldArc’s latest grade control results at Mt Stirling reinforce the deposit’s structural and grade continuity, setting the stage for refined mine planning and potential open-pit development under a partner-funded model.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming assay batches influence the evolving geological model at Mt Stirling?
- What are the timelines and capital requirements for advancing Mt Stirling toward production?
- How might the profit share arrangement with BML Ventures impact GoldArc’s development decisions?
