West Coast Silver Launches Deep Geophysics to Expand Elizabeth Hill Silver System
West Coast Silver has kicked off a major geophysical survey at its Elizabeth Hill project, aiming to uncover repeats of its historically high-grade silver system along 4 kilometres of the Munni Munni Fault Zone.
- Commencement of extensive IP and CSAMT surveys over 4 km strike
- WA Government grant covers 50% of geophysics program cost
- Survey targets analogues to high-grade Elizabeth Hill silver mineralisation
- Diamond drilling and economic studies advancing towards scoping study
- Project remains open for resource expansion at depth and along strike
District-Scale Geophysical Campaign Underway
West Coast Silver Limited (ASX:WCE) has embarked on an ambitious geophysical survey program at its flagship Elizabeth Hill silver project in Western Australia's Pilbara. The campaign targets approximately 4 kilometres of the Munni Munni Fault Zone (MMFZ), seeking potential repeats of the high-grade silver system that historically yielded 1.2 million ounces at a staggering 2,194 grams per tonne silver.
The program employs two complementary techniques: Induced Polarisation (IP) and Controlled-Source Audio-frequency Magnetotellurics (CSAMT). These methods, to be conducted concurrently, offer the capability to probe deeper than previous exploration efforts in the region, enhancing the chances of detecting new mineralised zones analogous to the Elizabeth Hill Mine.
Government Support and Contracting Details
Contracts have been awarded to Southern Geoscience Consultants and Zonge Engineering & Research Organisation, with field crews mobilising from late June or early July 2026. The survey lines are designed to be orthogonal to geological structures, ensuring unbiased data collection across the MMFZ between the Munni Munni and Maitland Intrusive Complexes.
Encouraging Preliminary IP Results at Elizabeth Hill Mine
Earlier IP test surveys over the Elizabeth Hill Mine demonstrated a chargeability response closely matching the known mineralised envelope defined in the April 2026 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE). This correlation bolsters confidence that the IP technique can effectively detect Elizabeth Hill-style silver mineralisation across the broader fault zone, guiding drill targeting efforts.
Diamond drilling continues to focus on expanding and infilling the April 2026 MRE, with ongoing assays expected to refine resource categorisation. Economic studies of near-surface mineralisation are progressing towards a scoping study, potentially laying the groundwork for development.
Project Potential and Exploration Strategy
Elizabeth Hill stands out as one of Australia's highest-grade silver projects, with historic mining ceasing in 2000 due to low silver prices rather than resource depletion. The deposit remains open at depth and along strike, with recent consolidation of tenure creating a contiguous 180 square kilometre land package encompassing significant portions of the MMFZ and parallel fault systems.
The current geophysical program aims to identify new ‘pearls’; stand-alone silver deposits; along the fault zone, with any anomalies detected during the surveys slated for follow-up drilling in late Q3 and Q4 2026. Regional exploration will also continue, including testing of the Elizabeth Hill South and Maitland prospects, further unlocking the district-scale potential.
Executive Chairman Bruce Garlick highlighted the strategic value of the co-funded program, stating it allows the company to test a substantial strike length at half the cost and generate additional drill targets that could support future resource growth.
Next Steps in Resource Expansion and Development
Beyond geophysics, West Coast Silver is advancing multiple fronts: ongoing diamond drilling to test depth extensions and infill gaps within the resource; detailed geological and structural reviews to refine targeting; and economic evaluations to define a viable project development pathway. The integration of surface and downhole geophysical surveys, including electromagnetic methods, aims to further delineate extensions and new targets.
With the Elizabeth Hill project’s high-grade history and strong exploration momentum, the coming months will be pivotal in determining whether these geophysical efforts translate into resource growth and a clearer route to production.
Bottom Line?
The new geophysical campaign, backed by government funding, could uncover significant extensions to Elizabeth Hill’s high-grade silver system, but results will be key to validating the broader resource potential along the Munni Munni Fault Zone.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the IP and CSAMT surveys identify multiple new mineralised zones analogous to Elizabeth Hill?
- How will upcoming drilling data refine the current Mineral Resource Estimate and influence development plans?
- Can West Coast Silver leverage its consolidated landholding to establish a district-scale silver province?
