News

Ora Banda Mining Limited (ASX: OBM) has delivered outstanding exploration results from follow-up drilling at the Little Gem Prospect, part of the Riverina Gold Camp in Western Australia. The latest drill holes confirm multiple high-grade gold lodes, supporting the potential for a large-scale greenfields discovery.

Key Highlights:

✅ Exceptional High-Grade Gold Intersections

• 22.7m @ 5.0 g/t Au from 400m depth, including:
  • 14.5m @ 6.8 g/t Au
  • 6.2m @ 10.8 g/t Au
• 10.9m @ 6.4 g/t Au, including:
  • 3.6m @ 16.9 g/t Au
  • 0.95m @ 55.9 g/t Au

✅ Mineralisation Extends Over 1.6km Strike

• Confirmed carbonate-hosted gold system down to 400m depth.
• Strong correlation to the Sunraysia Deposit, 4km south of Little Gem.

✅ Next Steps: Major Follow-Up Drilling Program

• 16-hole diamond drill program committed, testing a 4.7km strike from Little Gem to Sunraysia.
• 7,300m drilling campaign over 10 weeks, with results expected in Q2 2025.

Ora Banda’s Managing Director, Luke Creagh, commented:
"These latest results confirm Little Gem as a significant high-grade gold discovery. The continuity of the carbonate-hosted mineralisation over a 4.7km strike represents a major new growth opportunity for Ora Banda."

With ongoing exploration success and a fast-tracked drilling campaign, Ora Banda is well-positioned to unlock the full potential of the Riverina Gold Camp.

Catalyst Metals Limited (ASX: CYL) has commenced first stoping ore production at its Plutonic East underground mine, marking a significant step in the company’s strategy to expand production across the Plutonic Gold Belt in Western Australia.

Key Highlights:

✅ First Ore Mined at Plutonic East

• Plutonic East is a pre-existing underground mine, last mined by Barrick Gold in 2012 at ~A$1,500/oz gold prices.
• Ore will be processed through the currently underutilised Plutonic processing plant, enhancing operational efficiency.
• Plutonic East is expected to lower operational risk by diversifying ore sources beyond the main Plutonic underground mine.

✅ Plutonic Gold Belt Growth Strategy

• Plutonic East is the first of three new mining areas planned for development over the next 12-18 months.
• Catalyst aims to double production to 200,000oz per year at a capital cost of just A$31 million.
• Next developments: K2 and Trident mines, following the successful ramp-up of Plutonic East.

✅ Major Production Milestone for Catalyst Metals

• 110,000oz annual gold production across Plutonic and Henty mines.
• 3.4Moz total Mineral Resource, with 1.0Moz Ore Reserve.
• Cash & Bullion: A$84 million, with zero debt, providing strong financial backing for expansion.

Strategic Outlook

Catalyst’s Managing Director & CEO, James Champion de Crespigny, commented:
"Plutonic East coming online is a transformational step in our growth strategy. It gives us more ore sources, lowers operational risk, and demonstrates our ability to develop the Plutonic Gold Belt into a long-life, multi-mine operation."

With a well-funded development plan, expanding ore sources, and a scalable processing plant, Catalyst Metals is well-positioned for sustained gold production growth in Western Australia.

For more details, visit www.catalystmetals.com.au.

Great Boulder Resources (ASX: GBR) has reported exceptional high-grade gold intersections at the Eaglehawk Prospect, part of its Side Well Gold Project near Meekatharra, Western Australia. The latest drilling results confirm the potential for a large-scale, high-grade gold system, supporting the company’s strategy for resource expansion.

Key Highlights:

✅ Eaglehawk Drilling Success

• 29m @ 4.79 g/t Au from 76m, including:
  • 10m @ 10.20 g/t Au
  • 4m @ 20.50 g/t Au from 92m
• This is the highest-grade intercept ever drilled at Eaglehawk, validating Great Boulder’s focus on contact-related gold veins.
• Drilling has now defined gold mineralisation over 900m of strike, with the system remaining open for expansion.

✅ New Discoveries at Side Well South

• Aircore (AC) drilling at Side Well South has returned further gold intersections:
  • 2m @ 1.66 g/t Au from 57m (25SWAC047)
  • 2m @ 1.30 g/t Au from 52m (25SWAC034)
  • 1m @ 1.79 g/t Au from 29m (25SWAC011)
• A 17m mineralised zone was identified, with geochemical anomalies pointing to a potential gold-bismuth-molybdenum system.

Strategic Growth and Next Steps

• RC drilling is ongoing at Mulga Bill and Eaglehawk, targeting deeper and higher-grade extensions.
• Follow-up drilling at Side Well South is planned once heritage clearance is granted.
• Assays pending for 38 holes, including 16 RC holes at Eaglehawk and Mulga Bill​.

Great Boulder’s Managing Director, Andrew Paterson, highlighted the impact of these results:
"This thick, high-grade gold intercept at Eaglehawk is a game-changer. It supports our exploration model and significantly enhances our resource growth potential. With drilling continuing, we are confident in further discoveries across the Side Well Project."

With a 668,000oz gold resource at Side Well, ongoing exploration success, and a strong technical team, Great Boulder is positioning itself as a key player in the WA gold sector.

Litchfield Minerals Limited (ASX: LMS) has unveiled a significant new discovery at its Oonagalabi Project in the Northern Territory, confirming a large, high-chargeability sulphide system that remains untested by historical drilling​.

Key Highlights:

• Two high-intensity sulphide-bearing anomalies extending over 1km strike length and +500m depth.
• High-grade core identified, with chargeability values of 40mV/V to 60mV/V, indicating the potential for stronger sulphide mineralisation.
• Historic drilling only tested peripheral zones, leaving the strongest chargeability anomalies untested.
• Drilling-for-equity agreement with Bullion Drilling, allowing up to 2,000m of Phase 1 drilling to proceed while preserving capital.
• Environmental Mining Licence approved for public exhibition, paving the way for drilling approvals.

Major Discovery Potential at Oonagalabi

The Induced Polarisation (IP) survey, completed by Planetary Geophysics, confirmed the presence of two sub-parallel chargeability anomalies at depths exceeding 500m. The results indicate a potential skarn-related or intrusion-driven sulphide system, with a newly interpreted source intrusion 900m northeast of Oonagalabi​.

Litchfield’s Managing Director & CEO, Matthew Pustahya, stated:
"The results from this latest survey provide a breakthrough in our understanding of the Oonagalabi system. We now have clear evidence of a major, continuous chargeable body extending over 1km, with a high-chargeability core that remains completely untested."

Upcoming Drilling & Exploration Strategy

Litchfield has designed a 6-hole Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling program to directly target the strongest anomalies, with drilling set to commence in late March / early April 2025​.

• 5 RC holes will test the western anomaly, where chargeability values exceed 40mV/V.
• 1 RC hole will test the newly identified eastern anomaly, which has no surface expression.
• 150m drill spacing to efficiently define high-grade zones within the sulphide system.
• Additional geophysical surveys will refine drill targets and test the interpreted source intrusion.

Strategic Drilling Partnership Secured

To accelerate exploration while minimising dilution, Litchfield has partnered with Bullion Drilling Co., one of Australia’s premier drillers, under a drill-for-equity agreement:

• Up to 2,000m of drilling covered under the agreement.
• 50% of drilling costs paid in Litchfield shares, preserving cash for future exploration.
• Equity priced at 12c per share, representing a 26% premium to Litchfield’s last closing price​.

With a large untested chargeability anomaly, a clear geological model, and a fully funded drilling campaign, Litchfield Minerals is well-positioned for a major exploration breakthrough at Oonagalabi in 2025.

Pantoro Limited (ASX: PNR) has reported significant high-grade gold intersections at the Scotia Mining Centre, part of the company's 100%-owned Norseman Gold Project in Western Australia. The latest grade control drilling results and ore development activities indicate further resource expansion potential beyond the current Ore Reserve​.

Key Highlights:

• 83 new grade control holes completed, confirming wide, high-grade gold mineralisation.
• Exceptional drill results, including:
  • 16.51m @ 12.09 g/t Au, including 4.6m @ 17.51 g/t Au and 4.55m @ 20.06 g/t Au
  • 10.4m @ 7.82 g/t Au, including 6.90m @ 9.5 g/t Au
  • 5.50m @ 18.85 g/t Au
  • 4.51m @ 23.57 g/t Au, including 3.35m @ 29.49 g/t Au
  • 0.33m @ 143.08 g/t Au
• Development confirms additional mineralisation outside the current Ore Reserve, potentially expanding the mine plan.

Scotia on Track for Production Ramp-Up

Pantoro’s Managing Director, Paul Cmrlec, emphasised the strong growth potential at Scotia:
"Scotia continues to demonstrate its potential as a long-life, large-scale underground mine. We are transitioning from a development-driven operation to full-scale production, with steady-state mining targeted by the end of March 2025."

The company is ramping up production with stope drilling underway to build adequate drilled stocks for upcoming mining phases. A fourth development jumbo is set to arrive on-site in early March to accelerate underground access development​.

Strategic Growth Plans

• Extensional exploration to continue as underground drilling platforms become available.
• Ongoing surface and underground drilling to further define and expand the Scotia deposit.
• Infrastructure upgrades to support higher production capacity, aiming to exceed 200,000 ounces per annum across Norseman.

With the latest drilling results confirming the high-grade nature and continuity of mineralisation, Pantoro is positioning Scotia as a cornerstone asset in its long-term growth strategy.

Zenith Minerals Limited (ASX: ZNC) has commenced its next phase of drilling at the Dulcie Far North (DFN) Gold Project in Western Australia, marking another milestone in the company's growth-focused exploration strategy​.

Key Highlights:

• 35-hole Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling program underway, targeting footwall lodes and high-potential northern extensions.
• Recent 40% increase in Inferred Mineral Resource at DFN, growing from 150,000oz @ 1.3 g/t Au (3.6Mt) to 210,000oz @ 1.3 g/t Au (5.1Mt)​.
• Multiple new regional gold targets identified within the broader Split Rocks tenure.
• Strategic development pathways being explored, including toll treatment or standalone production.

Zenith’s Managing Director, Andrew Smith, highlighted the significance of the program:
"The 40% increase in our Inferred Mineral Resource is a testament to the quality of the DFN system. This next phase of drilling will focus on unlocking further upside as we progress towards development."

Expanding Resource and Development Pathway

The drill rigs are now turning at DFN, with a focus on:

• Resource expansion through step-out drilling targeting northern shear zones.
• Improved classification of mineralisation, upgrading Inferred ounces for potential mine development.
• Strategic exploration across Zenith’s 100%-owned tenure, defining new gold targets.

Zenith’s drilling contractor, Red Rock Drilling, has been engaged for the program, ensuring continuity and operational efficiency​.

The Path Ahead

With strong infrastructure access and nearby processing options, Zenith continues to evaluate development opportunities, including:

• Ongoing surface sampling and field mapping to refine regional targets.
• Scoping study underway to assess mining and processing pathways.
• Additional metallurgical testing and mine scenario evaluations to de-risk future production​.

With drilling results expected in Q2 2025, Zenith remains well-positioned to unlock the full potential of DFN and strengthen its gold portfolio in the Yilgarn Craton.

Aurum Resources Limited (ASX: AUE) has announced a maiden independent JORC Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 1.59 million ounces of gold for its Boundiali Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa. This significant milestone comes just 12 months after acquiring the permits and establishing joint venture partnerships.

Key Resource Highlights:

• Total Resource: 50.9 million tonnes at 1.0 g/t Au for 1,590,000 ounces
• Breakdown by Deposit:
  • BST: 11.0 Mt at 1.0 g/t Au for 360,000 ounces
  • BDT1: 11.9 Mt at 0.9 g/t Au for 340,000 ounces
  • BDT2: 16.3 Mt at 0.8 g/t Au for 440,000 ounces
  • BMT1: 7.5 Mt at 1.2 g/t Au for 300,000 ounces
  • BMT3: 4.2 Mt at 1.1 g/t Au for 150,000 ounces

The MRE is based on data from 480 drill holes, totaling nearly 74,000 meters of drilling. Notably, gold mineralization remains open along strike and down dip at all deposits, indicating potential for further resource expansion.

Aggressive Exploration and Development Plans: Aurum is committed to accelerating the development of the Boundiali project with the following initiatives:

• Drilling Campaign: A 100,000-meter drilling program is planned for 2025, utilizing six self-owned diamond rigs to drive resource growth.
• Metallurgical Testing: Preliminary tests have demonstrated excellent gold recoveries exceeding 95% using conventional gravity and carbon-in-leach (CIL) processing methods.
• Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS): Scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, the PFS will assess the project's economic viability and development pathway.

Managing Director Dr. Caigen Wang expressed confidence in the project's potential:

"This aggressive exploration campaign has rapidly defined a significant gold resource. We anticipate further resource growth in 2025 through continued exploration focused on expanding existing deposits and testing new targets within the Boundiali project area."

With approximately $23 million in available funds as of December 2024, Aurum is well-positioned to support its intensive exploration and development efforts.

For more information, visit Aurum Resources' official website.

Meeka Metals Limited (ASX: MEK) has announced further high-grade gold intersections at its St Anne’s deposit, part of the Murchison Gold Project, with drilling confirming significant mineralisation open to the north.

Key Highlights:

• Outstanding Gold Assays:
  • 16m @ 9.45g/t Au from 45m, including 7m @ 19.90g/t Au (24SAGC043)
  • 17m @ 7.27g/t Au from 48m, including 6m @ 18.93g/t Au (24SAGC067)
  • 23m @ 2.30g/t Au from 34m, including 2m @ 13.11g/t Au (24SAGC070)
  • 8m @ 5.65g/t Au from 65m, including 2m @ 18.55g/t Au (24SAGC080)
• New High-Grade Zone Identified:
  • Drilling to the north has intersected 8m @ 11.83g/t Au from 51m, including 6m @ 15.28g/t Au, suggesting the mineralisation remains open.
• Turnberry Deposit Continues to Deliver:
  • 3m @ 31.60g/t Au from 99m (24TBRC002)
  • 29m @ 2.09g/t Au from 102m, including 1m @ 37.20g/t Au (24TBGC037)

Path to Production

Meeka Metals is rapidly advancing its Murchison Gold Project, with open-pit mining set to commence in March 2025 and first ore delivery to the processing plant expected in April. The 20km haul road and process plant upgrades are well underway, with commissioning planned for June.

Meeka’s Managing Director, Tim Davidson, commented:
"The latest assays confirm St Anne’s as a high-grade open-pit opportunity and highlight the expansion potential. We are on track to commence mining in March, marking a major step toward first gold production."

With ongoing exploration success and a clear production timeline, Meeka Metals is positioning itself as a significant gold producer in Western Australia.

E79 Gold Mines Limited (ASX: E79) has identified multiple high-priority drill targets west of Kalgoorlie Gold Mining Limited’s (ASX: KAL) emerging Lighthorse gold discovery in Western Australia. The company’s latest high-resolution magnetic data review has highlighted significant structural complexity within its tenements, presenting exciting exploration potential.

Key Highlights:

• New Drill Targets: Geophysical data reveals structural offsets, demagnetised zones, and fault networks, indicating possible gold-hosting structures west of the Lighthorse discovery.
• Proximity to Major Discovery: Recent drilling by KalGold, just 50–550m from E79’s tenure, returned strong gold intercepts, including 17m at 4.81 g/t Au and 8m at 2.29 g/t Au.
• Upcoming Drilling Program: An air-core drill rig has been booked, with first-pass drilling scheduled to commence within the next few weeks.

E79 Gold CEO, Ned Summerhayes, stated:
"Given KalGold’s promising Lighthorse discovery so close to our boundary, we’ve accelerated exploration. Our high-resolution magnetics have pinpointed several compelling targets, and we’re eager to start drilling shortly."

Strategic Positioning in a Prolific Gold Belt

E79 Gold’s Laverton South Gold Projects, covering 272km², lie within the Laverton Tectonic Zone—home to 30Moz of historic gold production. This region hosts world-class deposits such as Granny Smith (5.8Moz), Sunrise Dam (10.3Moz), and Wallaby (11.8Moz).

The company is also progressing exploration at its Mountain Home IOCG Copper-Gold Project in the Northern Territory, with rock chip assays up to 45.5% copper and 11.75 g/t gold. Drilling at Mountain Home is planned for the upcoming dry season.

With strong gold targets identified and drilling set to commence soon, E79 Gold is positioning itself for potential new discoveries in one of Australia’s most prospective gold belts.

Matsa Resources Limited (ASX:MAT) has announced the successful completion of its Feasibility Study (FS) for the Devon Pit Gold Mine, delivering a pre-tax cash flow surplus of A$59.8 million at a gold price of A$4,250 per ounce. The study confirms a robust financial outlook for the project, which is expected to commence production by late Q1 or early Q2 2025 under a planned profit-share arrangement (Matsa 80% / Contractor 20%).

Key Highlights:

• Production Outlook: 340,000 tonnes at 4.6 g/t gold, producing 50,000 ounces of contained gold.
• Strong Margins: Projected all-in costs of A$2,829/oz, with potential free cash flow increasing to A$73.4M at a gold price of A$4,550/oz.
• Minimal Capex: Low upfront capital requirement of A$3 million, with key infrastructure such as haul roads and accommodation already in place.
• Operational Readiness: The project is fully permitted and mine-ready, with mining, processing, and financing arrangements in the final stages.

Matsa’s Executive Chairman, Paul Poli, expressed confidence in the project’s potential:
"The Feasibility Study confirms Devon as a high-margin gold project. With the rising gold price and a mine-ready operation, this presents a compelling value opportunity for our shareholders. Devon’s projected returns are significantly higher than our current market capitalisation, reinforcing Matsa’s position as undervalued in the market."

The company is also conducting extensional drilling to the north of the Devon Pit, which could further enhance the mine’s resource base and increase gold production. Mining will commence with a 100-tonne excavator and 85-tonne rigid haul trucks, scaling up operations as production ramps up.

Matsa is in advanced discussions to secure third-party processing arrangements, either through a toll-treatment agreement or an ore purchase contract. A financing facility of up to A$15 million is also being negotiated to support the early stages of development.

With a high-grade resource of 488,000 tonnes at 5.2 g/t for 82,000 ounces of gold, the Devon Pit Gold Mine is set to become a key contributor to Matsa’s Lake Carey Gold Project.