Lachlan Star has delivered further high-grade gold hits from its maiden diamond drilling at New Waverley, confirming a shallow, continuous quartz vein system with strike potential beyond 800 metres. A substantial reverse circulation drilling campaign is poised to expand the discovery.
- New diamond drilling confirms high-grade gold continuity
- Notable intercepts include 7.6m at 2.65g/t and 1.6m at 9.83g/t Au
- Mineralisation linked across Waverley, Trial Pit and Baker Boys
- Follow-up ~2,400m RC drilling to infill and extend mineralisation
- Assays pending for three additional diamond holes
New High-Grade Intercepts Reinforce Shallow Gold System
Lachlan Star Limited (ASX:LSA) has bolstered its maiden diamond drilling results at the New Waverley Gold Project near Norseman, Western Australia, with four additional holes confirming high-grade gold mineralisation within a shallow shear corridor. Among the standout intercepts are 7.6 metres at 2.65 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from just 18.5 metres, including a blistering 0.7 metres at 27.97 g/t Au, and 1.6 metres at 9.83 g/t Au from 44.5 metres depth. These hits add to earlier promising results from the maiden 13-hole program, underscoring a structurally controlled quartz vein system that remains open along strike and at depth.
Structural Continuity Across Multiple Prospects
The latest drilling further cements the interpretation of a continuous, high-grade gold system stretching across the Waverley Pit, Trial Pit, and Baker Boys prospects. The mineralised shear corridor, hosted predominantly in mafic lithologies, is currently mapped over approximately 400 metres of strike with potential extensions exceeding 800 metres. Visible gold and sulphide mineral assemblages, including pyrite and pyrrhotite, were observed in core samples, adding tangible evidence to the assay data.
The drilling has targeted high-grade down-plunge positions within a west-dipping shear zone, with structural measurements and geological logging confirming consistency in grade and alteration patterns. The system’s shallow nature, with mineralisation intercepted near surface, aligns with historical shallow workings that reached depths of around 30 metres at Waverley Pit.
Upcoming Reverse Circulation Drilling to Expand Footprint
Building on these encouraging diamond drill results, Lachlan Star plans to commence a ~2,400-metre reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign in June. This program aims to infill gaps and extend the known mineralisation along the interpreted high-grade plunge directions and structural repetitions within the corridor. The RC drilling will systematically test the strike extensions and down-plunge continuity, prioritising areas where the geology suggests the highest potential for economic-grade mineralisation.
Assay results for the remaining three diamond holes from the maiden program are expected by late June, delayed due to laboratory congestion in the photon assay stream. These results will feed into ongoing geological and structural modelling efforts to refine the understanding of the New Waverley system.
Strategic Location in Prolific Norseman Gold District
New Waverley sits within the world-renowned Norseman mining district, a prolific gold-producing region that has yielded over six million ounces historically. The project’s geology is typical of “Norseman-style” gold systems, characterised by gold-rich quartz reefs within north-northeast trending shear zones, enhanced by cross-cutting structures. Lachlan Star’s tenure covers approximately 40 square kilometres, including granted mining leases encompassing the historical Waverley and Trial Pit workings.
The project neighbours Pantoro Gold Limited’s Norseman Gold Project, which holds a 4.6 million ounce mineral resource estimate, highlighting the district’s rich endowment. Lachlan Star’s CEO Andrew Tyrrell emphasised the growing confidence in New Waverley’s discovery potential, noting the alignment of structure, alteration, and grade within the same corridor as a key factor in demonstrating scale.
Evaluating Historical Mine Dumps and Future Exploration
In parallel with the drilling programs, Lachlan Star is assessing historical mine dumps through a targeted aircore drilling campaign to evaluate their grade and economic potential. A drone magnetics survey, co-funded by the Western Australian Government’s Exploration Incentive Scheme, is scheduled to commence mid-June to further enhance the geological model.
With a robust pipeline of assays pending and a substantial RC drilling program imminent, New Waverley is shaping up as a technically coherent gold system with clear avenues for growth in a highly competitive gold district.
Bottom Line?
Lachlan Star’s expanding high-grade gold footprint at New Waverley sets the stage for a pivotal RC drilling phase that could unlock significant resource upside.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the pending assays confirm continuity and increase grade confidence?
- How will the upcoming RC drilling refine the structural model and resource potential?
- What economic significance might the historical mine dumps hold following aircore drilling?