GoldArc Resources has delivered its strongest gold intercept at Mt Stirling Well, reinforcing high-grade continuity and advancing mine planning under a fully funded drilling program.
- Strongest intercept: 2m at 69.7g/t Au including 1m at 137.0g/t Au
- Fifth consecutive batch confirms high-grade mineralisation
- 27,537m drilled with focus shifting to Mt Stirling Well
- Grade control program fully funded by BML Ventures
- 6,600m RC drilling planned for August 2026
Record Gold Grades Extend Confidence at Mt Stirling Well
GoldArc Resources (ASX:GA8) has unveiled its best-ever grade control drilling intercept at the Mt Stirling Well deposit, part of its Leonora North Gold Project in Western Australia. The standout result, a 2-metre intercept grading 69.7 grams per tonne (g/t) gold including 1 metre at a blistering 137.0 g/t, marks the fifth consecutive batch of high-grade results, underscoring continuity and supporting ongoing mine development plans.
This latest batch comprised 85 holes over approximately 2,245 metres, adding to a substantial combined drilling program of about 27,537 metres. The program, fully funded by BML Ventures under a 50/50 net profit-sharing agreement, allows GoldArc to retain 100% ownership of both Mt Stirling and Mt Stirling Well while advancing detailed mine planning without shareholder capital calls.
Grade Control Drilling Feeding Mine Models
GoldArc’s Managing Director Paul Stephen highlighted the significance of the close-spaced drilling data feeding directly into mining models prepared with BML Ventures, stating, "Mt Stirling Well has now returned high-grade results in five consecutive batches, and this batch includes the best intercept we have recorded at the deposit." The high-grade zones are hosted within narrow, flat-dipping quartz veins in a granitoid host, consistent with the geological model and resource estimates.
The ongoing grade control program is designed to precisely define ore boundaries ahead of potential open-pit mining, reducing dilution risk and optimizing extraction scenarios. The program employs a tight drill grid with fences spaced 8 metres apart and holes roughly 6 metres apart, ensuring detailed coverage and reliable data for production scheduling.
Strategic Development Supported by Partner Funding
Funding by BML Ventures removes capital expenditure burdens from GoldArc, enabling a capex-light development pathway. The Leonora North hub, which includes Mt Stirling and Mt Stirling Well, hosts a combined JORC Mineral Resource of over 152,000 ounces of gold at an average grade of 1.7 g/t Au. The high-grade results reported here reinforce the quality of the resource and its potential economic viability.
GoldArc is now focusing on the final phase of the program at Mt Stirling Well, with further assay batches to be released as results come in. In addition, a planned 6,600-metre reverse circulation drilling campaign is scheduled to commence in August 2026, targeting soil gold anomalies around the Mt Stirling deposits. This next phase aims to expand the footprint and test for additional high-grade zones.
Next Steps in Leonora North Development
Beyond drilling, GoldArc is progressing mine planning and updated mining models in collaboration with BML Ventures, aiming to refine extraction strategies and advance towards production readiness. The company also plans to follow up on newly identified gold corridors at its Yttria prospect, testing for higher-grade zones at depth and along strike.
As the company edges closer to development, the combination of strong grade control results and partner-funded programs positions GoldArc to unlock value from its Leonora North assets while managing financial risk. The ongoing release of assay results and the upcoming drilling campaign will be key milestones to watch.
Bottom Line?
GoldArc’s record intercept at Mt Stirling Well bolsters confidence in resource quality as partner-funded drilling accelerates mine planning.
Questions in the middle?
- Will subsequent assay batches maintain the high-grade trend at Mt Stirling Well?
- How will the upcoming 6,600m RC drilling program impact the overall resource footprint?
- What are the timelines for transitioning from mine planning to production at Leonora North?