Gorilla Gold Mines has expanded the high-grade Val gold discovery at its Vivien Project in WA, with mineralisation now traced over 400m strike and down-dip near existing underground infrastructure.
- Val discovery extends over 400m strike and down-dip
- Multiple high-grade lodes identified including 0.9m at 23.0g/t Au
- Discovery located within 70m of fully permitted Vivien underground mine
- Down-hole electromagnetic surveys reveal new targets
- Drilling to resume shortly targeting Val and Vince prospects
Val Discovery Grows Adjacent to Permitted Vivien Mine
Gorilla Gold Mines Ltd (ASX:GG8) has reported further high-grade gold intercepts at its 100%-owned Vivien Gold Project in Western Australia, significantly extending the Val discovery. The mineralisation now spans more than 400 metres both along strike and down-dip, with multiple lodes identified and the system remaining open in all directions. Notably, this discovery lies just 70 metres from the fully permitted Vivien underground mine, offering a strategic advantage for potential development.
Key drill results include 4.5 metres at 4.0 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 321.9 metres and a standout 0.9 metres at 23.0 g/t gold from 311.3 metres in hole VIVEX025, which extends mineralisation 150 metres down-dip beyond previous drilling. Additional intercepts such as 2.0 metres at 4.1 g/t gold in VIVEX021 and 5.1 metres at 2.3 g/t gold in VIVEX020 reveal new mineralised positions, including a footwall zone accompanied by a down-hole electromagnetic (DHEM) conductor.
Strategic Location and Exploration Tools Enhance Potential
The Val prospect's proximity to existing underground infrastructure, just 30 metres from the Vivien open pit wall and 70 metres from underground workings, provides Gorilla with a clear logistical edge. The Vivien underground mine is fully permitted, and dewatering operations are scheduled to commence soon under an agreement with Goldfields Agnew, setting the stage for potential mine redevelopment.
DHEM surveys continue to play a pivotal role in delineating new targets around Vivien. The high pyrrhotite content associated with Val's gold mineralisation makes it particularly responsive to these electromagnetic techniques, enabling more targeted drilling campaigns. With drilling set to restart shortly, the company aims to further expand resources at both Val and the nearby Vince prospect.
Project History and Broader Exploration Pipeline
The Vivien Project hosts a Mineral Resource of 278,000 ounces at an average grade of 4.2 g/t gold and has a rich production history, having yielded approximately 370,000 ounces at around 5.5 g/t gold. The Val discovery sits on a previously untested perpendicular structure to the main Vivien lode, underscoring the project's exploration upside.
Beyond Vivien, Gorilla Gold continues to advance exploration across its North Kalgoorlie Hub, including the Sovereign deposit and other regional prospects. This broader portfolio supports a pipeline of growth opportunities, with multiple rigs active and further drilling planned across the company's high-quality Goldfields assets.
Next Steps and Development Prospects
Gorilla's CEO, Charles Hughes, highlighted the compelling nature of the Val discovery and the company's straightforward exploration strategy combining drilling and DHEM surveys. The imminent resumption of drilling at Vivien aims to build on recent successes and convert the growing mineralisation into a material resource addition. The proximity to existing permits and infrastructure may accelerate the pathway from discovery to development, although true widths of mineralisation are yet to be determined and further evaluation is required.
Bottom Line?
Gorilla Gold's expanding Val discovery near a permitted underground mine positions Vivien as a promising candidate for resource growth and potential redevelopment.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming DHEM survey results influence drilling targets at Vivien?
- What timeline might be expected for resource model updates incorporating recent Val intercepts?
- Could the proximity to existing infrastructure enable a faster transition to mine development?