S2 Resources is set to begin drilling at Warraweena in early October targeting gold and copper, while Loch Lilly prepares geophysical surveys and awaits drilling permits. Jillewarra drilling remains on hold pending regulatory and heritage approvals.
- Drilling contractor secured for Warraweena's T37 gold and Lilyfield copper targets
- Loch Lilly trial geophysics underway, drilling permits submitted for copper prospects
- Jillewarra aircore drilling deferred pending government and traditional owner approvals
- Warraweena drilling aims to follow up historical intercepts with modern techniques
- Extensive geological and geophysical groundwork supports upcoming exploration programs
Warraweena Drilling to Start in Early October
S2 Resources Ltd (ASX:S2R) has engaged a drilling contractor to test two key targets at its Warraweena project, with operations expected to commence in early October. The program will focus on the T37 gold target and the Lilyfield copper target, both underpinned by historical intercepts and recent geophysical surveys.
The T37 target, located on a 100% S2-owned licence, is a follow-up on a solitary diamond drill hole from the 1980s that intersected 4 metres at 0.75 g/t gold from 127 metres. Despite some uncertainty around the exact drill collar location due to vintage data limitations, S2 has narrowed the position using field observations and airborne magnetics. Planned diamond drilling will aim to delineate the source and extent of gold mineralisation associated with intense hydrothermal alteration and brecciation.
At Lilyfield, where S2 is earning up to 80% interest through an earn-in agreement with Oxley Resources, drilling will target a copper anomaly highlighted by a previous intercept of 17 metres at 601 ppm copper. Recent inversion modelling of aeromagnetic data by Newexco has identified remanent magnetised bodies consistent with the anomaly, including a near-surface extension to be drilled.
Loch Lilly Advances Geophysical Surveys and Permit Process
Meanwhile, at the Loch Lilly project in New South Wales, S2 is preparing to commence trial geophysical programs using magnetometric induced polarization (MIP) in September. These surveys aim to enhance vectoring capabilities beneath thick conductive cover ahead of drilling.
Drilling permits have been submitted to the NSW government for the Eaglehawk and Netley copper prospects, both characterised by porphyry-style mineralisation with coincident gravity and magnetic anomalies. Historic drilling at Eaglehawk revealed skarnoid alteration but insufficient sulphide content to explain geophysical anomalies, keeping the main target open. Netley drilling intersected broad zones of low-level copper anomalism and molybdenum values, warranting follow-up.
Drilling at Loch Lilly will proceed once permits are approved, with S2 having secured key land access agreements to facilitate exploration activities.
Jillewarra Drilling Deferred Pending Approvals
At the Jillewarra joint venture in Western Australia, S2 is awaiting final approvals from the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Resources (DMPR) and consultation outcomes with traditional owners before commencing a planned aircore drilling program. The project, where S2 is earning an initial 51% interest from Black Raven Mining, has recently benefited from new aeromagnetic survey data now under interpretation to refine geological models and drilling plans.
The delay in drilling reflects ongoing heritage considerations and regulatory processes, with no firm timing available yet for the reconnaissance program targeting the Karbah Shear Zone.
Geological Context and Historical Exploration
Each project area is supported by extensive geological and geophysical groundwork. Warraweena lies adjacent to the Thomson Fold Belt, prospective for porphyry copper-gold and other mineralisation styles, with a history of exploration dating back to the 1960s. Loch Lilly sits within the Loch-Lilly Kars Belt, part of the Delamerian Orogen, known for polymetallic and porphyry-style deposits, with a rich history of exploration by major companies and recent geophysical campaigns.
Jillewarra occupies the Archean Mingah Range greenstone belt, hosting historical high-grade gold mining centres and prospective for mesothermal lode gold and polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulphides.
S2’s methodical approach includes trialling advanced geophysical techniques such as electromagnetic array profiling magnetotellurics at Warraweena and MIP at Loch Lilly, designed to penetrate conductive cover and better vector mineralisation.
Bottom Line?
Drilling at Warraweena signals a step-up in activity, but progress at Loch Lilly and Jillewarra hinges on permit and heritage approvals that could shape exploration timelines.
Questions in the middle?
- How will assay results from Warraweena’s T37 and Lilyfield targets influence S2’s project prioritisation?
- What impact will heritage consultations have on the timing and scope of drilling at Jillewarra?
- Can trial geophysical methods at Warraweena and Loch Lilly improve targeting success under thick cover?