North Stawell Minerals Advances Gold Exploration with 87 Koz Wildwood Resource

Wildwood Resource Expansion Signals Pathway to Production

North Stawell Minerals (ASX:NSM) has bolstered its position in Victoria’s gold sector with an updated Mineral Resource Estimate at its Wildwood project, now totalling 87,300 ounces of gold at an average grade of 2.4 grams per tonne. The resource is shallow, beginning from just 10 metres below surface, and remains open at depth and along the controlling basalt margin, key geological features that mirror the nearby Stawell Gold Mine. The upgrade includes a 59% increase in ounces and a 20% rise in grade compared to the original resource, with 51% of the total classified as Indicated, enhancing confidence in the deposit’s economic potential.

Darlington-Caledonia Trend Emerges as High-Grade Gold Focus

Exploration efforts have intensified along the 3.6-kilometre Darlington-Caledonia trend, a geological corridor that hosts multiple northwest-trending mineralised zones with high-grade gold potential. Historic production and recent drilling have confirmed gold mineralisation open along strike and at depth, with assays including 2.3 metres at 29.18 g/t Au at Darlington and 1 metre at 12.15 g/t Au at Caledonia. The trend is interpreted as a potential repeat of the Mariners Reef at Stawell, known for its exceptional grades. NSM’s ongoing drilling and geophysical surveys aim to delineate these zones further and test extensions beneath shallow cover sediments.

Geophysics Unlocks Targets Beneath Thin Cover

A distinct advantage for NSM lies in its application of advanced geophysical techniques to map basalt host rocks beneath a thin, unmineralised sedimentary cover that blankets approximately 85% of its tenements. This approach enables targeting of Stawell-type mineralisation obscured from surface observation. The company has amassed over 2,300 historic drill holes complemented by more than 760 holes drilled by NSM, providing a comprehensive data set to refine exploration targets. Numerical modelling and prospectivity mapping further support the identification of structural controls on mineralisation, enhancing the precision of drill programs.

Strategic Tenement Position and Experienced Leadership

NSM’s tenement portfolio spans 445 square kilometres immediately north of the Stawell Gold Mine, a prolific goldfield with historical production exceeding 5 million ounces. This position offers proximity to existing infrastructure and an established mining jurisdiction in Victoria, which has seen regulatory streamlining. The company’s leadership team boasts decades of Victorian mining and exploration experience, with Executive Director Bill Reid and Chairman Campbell Olsen at the helm, underscoring NSM’s capability to advance projects towards development.

Growth Opportunities and Community Commitment

Beyond Wildwood and Darlington-Caledonia, NSM maintains a pipeline of more than 10 additional high-potential targets, including greenfield and generative prospects. The company emphasises sustainable exploration practices, community engagement, and environmental stewardship as foundational to its growth strategy. While historic production within NSM’s tenements totals roughly 200,000 ounces, largely from 19th-century gold rush activity, modern exploration is revealing the potential for significant new discoveries beneath cover.