Waratah Minerals reveals substantial high-grade gold extensions at its Spur Gold Project, with drilling extending mineralisation up to 160m and confirming a district-scale system.
- High-grade gold extended 100m below Consols SPD019
- 160m up-dip mineralisation growth at Consols SPD031
- Shallow high-grade intercepts at Spur Zone including 31m @ 1.69 g/t Au
- Ongoing 80,000m drilling program advancing resource potential
- System remains open in multiple directions for expansion
Significant Extensions at Consols Gold Zone
Waratah Minerals Limited (ASX:WTM) has reported exceptional drilling results from its Spur Gold Project in New South Wales, highlighting major extensions at the Consols Gold Zone. Notably, drill hole SPD036 intersected high-grade mineralisation 100 metres beneath the previous hole SPD019, delivering 51 metres at 1.5 g/t Au from 629m, including a standout 9m at 6.17 g/t Au and a spectacular 3.82m at 16.34 g/t Au from 706m. This deep extension underscores the growing scale of the mineralised system beneath the eastern margin of Consols.
Complementing this, SPD031 pushed mineralisation 160 metres up-dip towards surface from SPD019, returning 42m at 1.08 g/t Au from 457m, including 10m at 2.16 g/t Au. These step-out results confirm the Consols zone remains open both at depth and towards surface, suggesting a robust vertical and lateral footprint that continues to expand.
Shallow High-Grade Growth at Spur Gold Zone
At the central Spur Gold Zone, drilling continues to define and expand shallow high-grade mineralisation. Hole SPD054A, drilled to fill a gap caused by a drainage gully, returned an impressive 31m at 1.69 g/t Au from 86m, including multiple higher-grade intervals such as 9m at 3.36 g/t Au and a remarkable 1m at 23.89 g/t Au. This near-surface intercept provides a valuable addition to the growing shallow resource potential at Spur.
Other notable results include SPD045 with 37m at 1.33 g/t Au from 39m, featuring high-grade hits of 4m at 10.89 g/t Au and 1m at 38.79 g/t Au, and SPD044 intercepting 67m at 0.89 g/t Au from 57m with a 17m interval at 2.61 g/t Au. These results reinforce the continuity and grade consistency across the Spur zone.
District-Scale System with Multiple Growth Avenues
Waratah’s Managing Director Peter Duerden emphasised the scale and potential of the Spur Project, stating the ongoing drilling program delivers a strong pipeline of news flow that unlocks the full potential of the Spur and Consols Zones. The project is shaping up as a district-scale gold system in one of Australia’s premier gold-copper districts, with mineralisation remaining open in multiple directions.
The company’s extensive 80,000m growth and extensional drilling program continues to target both depth and lateral expansions, supported by detailed geological logging and photon assay techniques that provide robust quantification of gold grades, including coarse gold.
These latest results build on previous high-grade intercepts and expansions reported over recent months, confirming the Spur Gold Project's growing footprint and the quality of its mineralisation. With multiple rigs active and further drilling planned, Waratah is advancing towards a maiden resource estimate targeted for early 2027.
Technical Rigor and Exploration Framework
The drilling program employs triple tube diamond drilling with systematic core orientation and rigorous sampling protocols. Assays are conducted primarily via photon assay, a technique recognised for its accuracy in detecting coarse gold, complemented by screen-fire assays where necessary. The project tenure is secure, with multiple mining leases under acquisition and a 2.5% net smelter royalty in place, ensuring a stable platform for ongoing exploration.
Geophysical surveys, including reprocessed 3D induced polarization and ground magnetic data, have guided exploration targeting, revealing resistive zones interpreted as potential epithermal or porphyry cores. This integrated approach underpins the company’s confidence in the project’s scale and prospective mineralisation styles.
Bottom Line?
Waratah Minerals’ latest drilling results reinforce Spur’s emergence as a district-scale gold system with multiple high-grade zones open for further growth, setting a clear path towards resource definition.
Questions in the middle?
- How will ongoing drilling refine the geometry and continuity of high-grade zones at Spur and Consols?
- What timeline can investors expect for the maiden resource estimate and potential development milestones?
- Could the expanding mineralisation at depth and near surface support different mining methods or staged development?