29Metals has reported strong drilling results from its 2026 program at Golden Grove, confirming high-grade copper, zinc, gold, and silver extensions at Oizon and Amity. Development at Oizon is progressing with first ore expected by year-end, underpinning mine flexibility and potential cost efficiencies.
- High-grade copper and zinc intercepts extend Oizon resource
- Significant gold and silver grades accompany base metals
- Oizon development advancing, first ore expected late 2026
- Amity drill results reveal high-grade zinc and lead
- Exploration restarted at Capricorn Copper with surface drilling planned
Oizon Drilling Confirms Resource Growth and Mine Development Progress
29Metals Limited (ASX:29M) has unveiled compelling results from its 2026 drilling campaign at the Golden Grove mine in Western Australia, spotlighting resource extensions at the high-grade Oizon deposit. Among the standout intercepts, hole G26/525A returned 2.2 metres grading 5.1% copper, 17.7 grams per tonne gold, and 126 grams per tonne silver from 402.4 metres downhole, underscoring the deposit's multi-metal potential. Complementing this, a 13.7-metre interval at 1.6% copper with notable silver grades and a substantial 29.8-metre zinc intercept grading 16.9% zinc were also reported, reinforcing the deposit’s polymetallic character.
These results build on the 2025 program that identified Oizon and Hougoumont Extended as a single large mineralised system at depth, a discovery expected to deliver mining cost efficiencies through shared infrastructure. Development at Oizon is advancing on schedule, with first ore anticipated by the end of 2026, promising to add fresh ore flexibility to Golden Grove’s mine plan.
Amity Delivers High-Grade Zinc and Lead Intercepts
Resource extension drilling at Amity also yielded encouraging results, with a notable intercept of 1.3 metres at 24.3% zinc, 6.2% lead, and 297 grams per tonne silver from 402.9 metres in hole G26/535. This reinforces Amity’s status as a priority target for resource conversion and extension, complementing the broader mineral resource growth strategy at Golden Grove.
Exploration Strategy Focuses on Growth and Conversion
29Metals’ 2026 exploration program at Golden Grove targets both expansion of inferred mineral resources along strike and down plunge, and upgrading inferred resources to indicated and measured categories through conversion drilling. The current drilling results align with these objectives, particularly in the southern extensions of Oizon and Hougoumont Extended, where mineralisation continuity remains robust.
Looking beyond Golden Grove, exploration activities have recommenced at Capricorn Copper, with the geology team re-established and surface drilling planned for the September quarter of 2026. This signals a renewed focus on near-mine targets at Esperanza South and Mammoth, aiming to sustain the company’s growth pipeline.
Technical Rigor and Reporting Standards Maintained
The drilling results adhere to the Australasian JORC Code (2012 Edition) standards, with comprehensive sampling, assay, and quality control protocols described in detail. The mineralisation intercepted comprises stringer to semi-massive pyrite and chalcopyrite, consistent with geological models. True widths of mineralisation are estimated between 35-60% of downhole lengths, and further drilling is planned to refine resource estimates and geological understanding.
Chief Executive Officer James Palmer emphasised the strategic value of these results, stating that Oizon’s development will enhance mine plan flexibility and that the integrated mineralised system with Hougoumont Extended offers promising avenues for future cost efficiencies. This drilling success follows a strong 2025 exploration program that contributed to resource growth and underpinned the company’s increased exploration budget for 2026.
Bottom Line?
29Metals’ ongoing drilling success at Golden Grove, particularly at Oizon, sets the stage for potential resource upgrades and operational flexibility, with Capricorn Copper exploration poised to add further growth avenues.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the integration of Oizon and Hougoumont Extended impact overall mining costs and schedules?
- What scale of resource upgrade can be expected from the current drilling, and when might this be reflected in updated reserves?
- How significant will Capricorn Copper’s upcoming drilling be in sustaining 29Metals’ growth beyond Golden Grove?