Rokeby Resources has kicked off a nine-hole diamond drilling campaign at the Sunnyside deposit within the Omeo Gold Project, aiming to upgrade a historical 320,000-ounce gold resource and lay groundwork for a JORC-compliant estimate.
- Nine-hole, 2,180m diamond drilling program underway at Sunnyside
- Targets high-grade mineralisation zones to upgrade 320,000 oz historical resource
- Assay results expected within four to six weeks
- Drilling to support JORC (2012) resource estimate and future expansion
- Acquisition of Omeo Gold Project still subject to conditions precedent
Drilling Resumes After 13 Years at High-Grade Sunnyside
Rokeby Resources (ASX:RKB) has commenced a pivotal nine-hole, 2,180-metre diamond drilling program at the Sunnyside deposit, part of the Omeo Gold Project in north-east Victoria. This marks the first drilling activity at Sunnyside in over a decade, signalling Rokeby’s commitment to unlocking value from one of Victoria’s most compelling high-grade gold assets.
The project remains subject to the completion of Rokeby’s acquisition of the Omeo Gold Project, which was announced in April 2026. The drilling program, executed by Tiger Tasman Minerals, is designed to upgrade a historical resource estimate of 2.4 million tonnes at 4.02 grams per tonne gold, equating to approximately 320,000 ounces of gold.
Targeting High-Grade Mineralisation and Resource Definition
The program focuses on testing down-plunge extensions of known high-grade mineralisation zones, improving definition within the existing resource envelope, and exploring beneath and along strike from previously identified mineral shoots. Notably, Sunnyside boasts exceptional historical intercepts including 15.9 metres at 52.3 g/t Au and 0.8 metres at 238.5 g/t Au, underscoring the deposit’s resource growth potential.
Two holes will twin a historic intercept of 15.9m at 52.3 g/t Au to validate previous results, while others will target down-plunge extensions of mineralisation intersected in prior drilling campaigns. The program also tests six high-grade shoots within the 5.8-kilometre mineralised zone, which remains open along strike and at depth.
Path to a JORC-Compliant Resource and Broader Exploration
Assay results from the drilling are anticipated within four to six weeks and will underpin a JORC (2012) compliant resource estimate planned for the second half of 2026. Rokeby intends to use this data to guide an expanded drilling program across the Mt Wills area, integrating the Maude and Sunnyside deposits.
Proposed Managing Director Richard Beazley highlighted the disciplined approach taken to the acquisition and exploration, noting the company's readiness to move efficiently. “Drilling is underway at Sunnyside for the first time in 13 years, and the program is designed to validate one of Victoria’s most compelling high-grade gold opportunities,” he said.
Omeo Gold Project’s Historical Context and Future Potential
The Omeo Gold Project comprises two key tenement areas: Mt Wills and Cassilis, located about five hours northeast of Melbourne. Historical mining produced over 235,000 ounces of gold at grades exceeding 18 g/t. The Mt Wills area hosts the historical resource estimate that Rokeby aims to upgrade.
Sunnyside is fully permitted for drilling and has demonstrated strong vertical continuity of ultra-high-grade shoots. While the historical resource estimate is yet to be classified under JORC (2012) standards, Rokeby’s current drilling program seeks to bridge that gap, providing a modern, compliant resource statement.
Bottom Line?
Rokeby’s Sunnyside drilling program is a crucial step toward validating and expanding a high-grade gold resource, but investors should watch for assay results and the completion of the Omeo acquisition before drawing conclusions.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming assay results confirm the historical high-grade intercepts at Sunnyside?
- How will Rokeby integrate the new data into a JORC-compliant resource estimate by late 2026?
- What is the timeline and likelihood for completing the Omeo Gold Project acquisition?