Iceni Gold Confirms Gander Fault at Goose Well with Diamond Drilling

Diamond Drilling Unveils Major Structural Break at Goose Well

Iceni Gold Limited (ASX:ICL) has taken a significant step in its exploration campaign at the Goose Well target within its flagship 14 Mile Well Gold Project in Western Australia by completing a 362m deep angled diamond drillhole. The drilling has confirmed the presence of the Gander Fault, a substantial ~25m wide zone of brecciated and fault-gouged quartz syenite–monzogranite intrusions, validating the company’s structural model and providing a crucial framework for gold mineralisation.

The Gander Fault corridor was intersected starting at 222.21m downhole, revealing intensely sheared lamprophyre dykes and a complex multi-phase intrusive system. This includes quartz syenite and monzogranite intrusions with multiple generations of lamprophyre dykes cutting through them. Notably, the intensity of silica–carbonate alteration and sulphide mineralisation increases towards the fault zone, supporting the presence of a significant hydrothermal system that could be conducive to gold deposition.

Refined Geological Model Challenges Previous Assumptions

Core logging and structural analysis have led to a revision of the geological interpretation around the lamprophyres, which appear to be steeply dipping and aligned parallel to the north-south trending Gander Fault, contrasting with earlier models that suggested a shallow dip. This realignment of structural understanding is pivotal as it influences future drill targeting and exploration risk assessment.

Iceni’s Managing Director Wade Johnson highlighted that the diamond core has delivered insights unattainable through previous reverse circulation (RC) drilling alone, enabling the company to better characterise vein density, mineralogy, and structural orientation within the Goose Well Intrusive Complex. The drilling also intersected multiple generations of quartz veining and alteration halos, indicating a prolonged hydrothermal history that could enhance the prospectivity of the area.

Strategic Importance of Goose Well in Iceni’s Portfolio

Goose Well sits on the western edge of the 14 Mile Well Project, a vast 645km² tenement package that positions Iceni as one of the largest landholders in the highly prospective Leonora-Laverton gold district. The area has demonstrated gold anomalism through historical soil sampling, high-grade rock chips, and prior RC drilling by previous operators, although some historical assay data remain incomplete, prompting Iceni’s cautious approach.

The project’s strategic value is underscored by its proximity to large operating gold mills and major deposits such as Mount Morgan and Granny Smith. This diamond drilling program builds on earlier RC results that identified the Gander Fault as a key structural control on mineralisation, further enhancing the geological model and reducing exploration risk at Goose Well.

Next Steps and Market Implications

Core processing and sampling are underway, with assay results anticipated in August 2026. These results will be critical in confirming the economic significance of the mineralisation intersected and will feed into an integrated geological, petrophysical, and structural model to refine future drill targeting. The company’s approach reflects a methodical strategy to de-risk exploration and prioritise high-potential zones within the complex.

Iceni’s ongoing partnership with Gold Fields Australia, which includes farm-in agreements across the 14 Mile Well Project, provides strategic funding and support, positioning the company to accelerate exploration activities across multiple targets including Goose Well and Everleigh. This diamond drilling milestone adds momentum to Iceni’s broader exploration narrative in one of Western Australia’s most prolific gold belts.