Hamelin Gold has kicked off a 3,000-metre reverse circulation drilling program at its Day Dawn project in Western Australia's Paterson Province, aiming to validate and extend the high-grade Aurora Lode. The company plans follow-up drilling phases and deeper diamond drilling to explore a potential Telfer-style gold system.
- 3,000m RC drilling commenced at Day Dawn targeting Aurora Lode
- Historical assays show multiple high-grade gold intersections
- Second drilling phase to test parallel lodes and extensions
- EIS co-funded diamond drilling planned for deeper targets
- Assay results expected within 4-6 weeks
Drilling Begins at Promising Day Dawn Gold Project
Hamelin Gold Limited (ASX:HMG) has started a 35-hole, 3,000-metre reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign at its recently granted Day Dawn gold project, situated just 10 kilometres northwest of Greatland Gold's +20 million ounce Telfer mine in Western Australia’s Paterson Province. The initial program focuses on the high-grade Aurora Lode, a target identified through a comprehensive reinterpretation of historical data and known for its impressive gold assays.
Historical High-Grade Gold Intersections Drive Exploration
The Aurora Lode has previously returned significant drill results including 3 metres at 51.1 g/t gold from 35 metres and 7 metres at 17.1 g/t gold from 16 metres, among others. Hamelin’s drilling aims to confirm these historical findings with modern analytical methods and to collect samples for initial metallurgical testing. The program is designed to validate the geological model that suggests these high-grade lodes may be the surface expression of a larger mineral system.
Expansion Plans with Second Phase Drilling and Diamond Core
Following the initial RC drilling, Hamelin plans a second phase targeting extensions of the Aurora Lode and several nearby parallel lodes such as Altis, Sparrows, and Phoenix, which have also shown promising gold mineralisation in historical drilling. For example, Sparrows has intersections like 4 metres at 13.39 g/t gold from 178 metres, highlighting the potential for expanding the mineralised footprint. This second phase will inform the design of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) co-funded diamond drilling program scheduled for the September 2026 quarter, aiming to test deeper targets analogous to the Telfer gold-copper system.
Day Dawn’s Geological Setting Mirrors Telfer’s Potential
Hamelin’s exploration model draws parallels with the nearby Telfer deposit, where gold mineralisation occurs within both reef-style lodes and broader stockwork zones. At Day Dawn, near-surface gold is hosted primarily in the Outer Siltstone unit, while the deeper diamond drilling will target stratigraphically lower units known to host significant mineralisation at Telfer. This layered approach reflects a methodical strategy to unlock both shallow and deep gold resources.
Looking Ahead: Assay Results and Project Focus for 2026
Assay results from the Phase 1 RC drilling are expected within 4 to 6 weeks, which will be critical for guiding subsequent exploration efforts. Managing Director Peter Bewick emphasised the importance of Day Dawn in Hamelin’s portfolio, noting the project will be a major focus throughout 2026. With backing from significant shareholders including Gold Fields and Vault Minerals, Hamelin is well positioned to advance exploration in this underexplored but highly prospective gold province.
Bottom Line?
Hamelin’s staged drilling approach at Day Dawn could unlock a substantial gold system, but early assay results will be pivotal in shaping the project’s trajectory.
Questions in the middle?
- Will Phase 1 drilling confirm the high-grade continuity of the Aurora Lode?
- Can the planned Phase 2 drilling successfully identify extensions and parallel lodes to expand the mineralised footprint?
- How will the upcoming EIS co-funded diamond drilling refine the understanding of deeper gold mineralisation analogous to Telfer?