Aguia Resources has reported exceptional multi-ounce gold grades from underground channel sampling at its Santa Barbara Gold Project in Colombia, alongside ongoing shaft construction and mine development.
- Channel samples peak at 128.5 g/t Au over 16cm
- Two shafts completed with production sublevels established
- Stope 1 delivers consistent multi-ounce gold grades before closure
- Diamond drilling planned for Q4 2026 to expand exploration
- Project remains early stage with significant upside potential
Record Gold Grades from Underground Sampling
Aguia Resources Limited (ASX:AGR) has unveiled some of the highest gold assay results recorded to date at its Santa Barbara Gold Project in Colombia. Channel sampling in the newly accessed sublevels of Vein #1 returned staggering grades including 128.5 grams per tonne (g/t) gold over 16 centimetres and 60.7 g/t over 30 centimetres, with multiple other samples exceeding one ounce per tonne (31.1 g/t) gold. These results underscore the potential for high-grade mineralisation within the underground workings.
Shaft Construction and Mine Development Advancing
The company has completed two shafts beneath Vein #1, establishing production sublevels and mine faces that have now yielded these high-grade samples. Construction is underway on shafts 3, 4, and 5, signalling a clear push to expand access and production capacity. Development on Vein #2 is also progressing, with three sublevels and four active mine faces, consistently delivering grades above 10 g/t gold.
Stope 1 Closure Reflects Shift in Mining Focus
Stope 1, which produced very high-grade material with samples up to 63.88 g/t gold, has been permanently closed due to its narrow vein widths and proximity to surface. The closure marks a transition point, with follow-up work focusing on supporting production while advancing development in other areas of Vein #2. This approach aligns with Aguia’s strategy to prioritise high-grade run-of-mine ore above 10 g/t Au.
Upcoming Diamond Drilling to Test Depth Potential
Looking ahead, Aguia plans a diamond drilling program in the fourth quarter of 2026 aimed at assessing the full scale of the mineralised system at depth. Managing Director Timothy Hoskings highlighted the "high consistency and distribution of multi-ounce gold grades" as justification for this deeper exploration push. While the project is still in an early exploration phase with no current mineral resource estimates, the results so far suggest significant upside potential.
Caution on Early-Stage Data and Sample Variability
The company emphasises that these results are based on limited sample sizes and early-stage selective mining, which carry inherent variability and uncertainty. Assay data and sampling protocols adhere to strict QA/QC standards overseen by a qualified geologist, but caution remains warranted until more extensive drilling and sampling confirm the continuity and scale of the mineralisation.
Bottom Line?
The exceptional grades and advancing infrastructure at Santa Barbara set the stage for a pivotal diamond drilling campaign that could redefine Aguia’s gold potential in Colombia.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming diamond drilling confirm the lateral and depth continuity of these multi-ounce gold zones?
- How quickly can Aguia scale production given the ongoing shaft construction and mine development?
- What impact will these high-grade results have on the company’s resource estimation timeline and capital allocation?