News

20 May 2025 | Subiaco, WA – Hamelin Gold (ASX:HMG) has kicked off two major RC drilling programs at its West Tanami Project, targeting high-priority gold anomalies at the Fremlins South and Jazz prospects, with results due mid-year.

Both campaigns are co-funded by the WA Government’s Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) and mark a critical step in advancing Hamelin’s push for a multi-million-ounce gold discovery in the underexplored region.

Program Highlights:

🔸 Fremlins South

• 2,500m RC program underway to test a 4km-long LAG surface gold anomaly

• In-field use of DetectORE™ portable gold detection system to guide deeper drilling

• Heritage clearance secured; assays expected July 2025

🔸 Jazz Prospect

• 2,000m RC drilling to begin in June, testing depth and strike extensions of regolith-hosted mineralisation

• Targets the intersection of two major structural trends within the Jazz Granitoid

• Diamond drilling planned for August, pending RC results

Ularring Project Update:
A recent 26-hole RC campaign at the Ularring Project returned moderate anomalism, with best result of 8m @ 0.13g/t Au, including 2m @ 0.38g/t Au. Further exploration at Ularring is under review.

Managing Director Peter Bewick commented:

“We’re excited to be testing two strong targets in the Tanami. This marks our first use of DetectORE in the field, potentially accelerating discovery and decision-making in real-time.”

Hamelin’s West Tanami tenement package remains one of the largest and most prospective in Western Australia, backed by strategic shareholders Gold Fields and Vault Minerals.

15 May 2025 | Perth, WA – E79 Gold Mines (ASX:E79) has identified multiple high-priority regional gold targets at its Laverton South Project following a comprehensive geophysical reinterpretation and project-wide review, with drilling set to begin shortly.

The review focused on magnetic and gravity datasets reprocessed in light of the nearby Lighthorse discovery by KalGold (ASX:KAL), which shares structural similarities with E79’s tenure. Two new targets will be tested in the coming weeks.

Target Highlights:

• Target 1 lies 3km south of KalGold’s Kirgella Gift resource, in a structurally complex zone showing demagnetisation and a gravity-interpreted fault.

• Target 2 sits near the Lake Yindana tenements, in a domal geological setting analogous to Ramelius’ Duke Deposit, but under cover.

The company has already completed 5,871m of aircore drilling west of Lighthorse, with assays pending. New drilling is scheduled for May–June.

CEO Ned Summerhayes commented:

“These compelling targets are the result of reinterpreting regional data in light of recent greenfields success nearby. We’re excited to drill-test them while we await results from our last aircore campaign.”

E79 also noted increased prospectivity around Heysen’s Find, where nearby surface sampling by OzAurum returned up to 16.23g/t Au. Previous E79 drilling along the same structure intersected 12m @ 1.12g/t Au, prompting follow-up fieldwork.

The Laverton South Project spans 272km² within the prolific Laverton Tectonic Zone, home to over 30Moz of historical gold resources including Granny Smith, Sunrise Dam and Wallaby.

15 May 2025 | Perth, WA – WA1 Resources (ASX:WA1) has announced some of its most exceptional niobium intercepts to date from ongoing resource definition drilling at its flagship Luni deposit, part of the West Arunta Project in Western Australia.

The latest assays from drilling across the southern and western zones confirm the presence of thick, high-grade niobium mineralisation, bolstering confidence ahead of an updated Mineral Resource estimate due in June.

Key intercepts include:

• 36.4m @ 4.9% Nb₂O₅ from 50m (LUDD-0121)

• 60.0m @ 3.2% Nb₂O₅ from 60.3m (LUDD-0124), including

  • 11.3m @ 12.7% Nb₂O₅

• 26.8m @ 4.9% Nb₂O₅ from 58m (LUDD-0125)

• 79.6m @ 2.1% Nb₂O₅ to end-of-hole (LUDD-0123)

Additional intercepts from RC and sonic drilling support the lateral and vertical continuity of mineralisation. Several holes also recorded elevated rare earth element (REE) values, including 11.3m @ 4.0% TREO, adding to the project’s multi-commodity appeal.

Managing Director Paul Savich said:

“These are some of the best results we’ve seen and show the Luni system extends well beyond our early development areas. With the final assays in, we’re now focused on updating our Mineral Resource and progressing pre-feasibility studies.”

WA1 has now completed over 60,000m of drilling at Luni, with three rigs active on site, supporting ongoing hydrogeological, geotechnical, and environmental studies. The updated MRE will include a maiden Indicated Resource, underpinning the company’s move toward development.

15 May 2025 | Subiaco, WA – Brightstar Resources (ASX:BTR) has commenced its second ore processing campaign under the Ore Purchase Agreement (OPA) with Genesis Minerals, delivering 55,000 tonnes at +2.0g/t Au to the Laverton Mill.

Ore has been sourced from the high-grade Second Fortune underground mine and existing stockpiles, with the campaign expected to conclude by the end of May.

Key Highlights:

• Fish underground mine on track to deliver first ore in June, boosting future mill feed grades

• Second Fortune now producing ~12kt/month, exceeding its modelled steady-state rate

• Brightstar remains hedge-free, with strong working capital supported by its Ocean Partners facility

• Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for Laverton and Menzies projects nearing completion in 1H CY25

• Three additional rigs mobilising across Laverton, Menzies, and Sandstone for expanded drilling

Managing Director Alex Rovira commented:

“With ongoing production, a second underground mine nearing first ore, a DFS near completion, and exploration ramping up, it’s an exciting time for Brightstar. These developments put us on track toward becoming a +200koz p.a. gold producer.”

In parallel, Brightstar is progressing construction at the Fish underground site, including key infrastructure and a 48-room camp. A third ore parcel is being prepared for Q3 processing, with results from the May parcel to be released following metallurgical reconciliation.

15 May 2025 | East Perth, WA – Auric Mining (ASX:AWJ) is set to complete its final milling campaign at the Jeffreys Find Gold Mine near Norseman, with approximately 60,000 tonnes of ore on track to be processed at the Three Mile Hill Mill in Coolgardie starting early July.

With 16,000 tonnes already stockpiled and haulage continuing daily, the campaign is expected to yield around 2,750 ounces of gold, pushing total production from Jeffreys Find above 30,000 ounces.

Key Highlights:

• Milling scheduled to conclude by end of July 2025

• Surplus cash expected: $7M–$9M to be split 50:50 with JV partner BML Ventures

• Auric’s share estimated at $3.5M–$4.5M, adding to the $15M+ already banked from the project

• Funds will support ongoing development at the Munda Gold Mine

Managing Director Mark English said:

“It’s a bumper final payday from Jeffreys Find. Most of the mining costs are behind us, and we’re set to benefit from a strong gold price. This has been a game changer for Auric as we transition into a gold producer in our own right.”

Rehabilitation and demobilisation activities are now underway, marking the final stages of the Jeffreys Find venture.

14 May 2025 | Perth, WA – Ausgold Limited (ASX:AUC) has reported strong gold intercepts across multiple regional prospects within its 100%-owned Katanning Gold Project (KGP) in Western Australia, bolstering the company’s growing pipeline of potential satellite deposits.

The latest results come from a 32-hole RC drilling campaign totalling over 4,300m, targeting four regional prospects along the Stanley Thrust: Zinger, Stanley Hill, Moulyinning and McDougalls.

Highlights from Zinger include:

• 10m @ 4.75g/t Au from 23m, incl. 2m @ 23.20g/t Au (NBRC011)

• 51m @ 0.37g/t Au from 17m (NBRC016)

• 38m @ 0.47g/t Au from 68m, incl. 9m @ 1.22g/t Au (NBRC015)

Other notable intercepts:

• Stanley Hill: 11m @ 0.42g/t Au and 5m @ 0.65g/t Au (up to 2.95g/t)

• Moulyinning: 6m @ 0.51g/t Au, incl. 1m @ 2.57g/t Au

• McDougalls: 17m @ 0.22g/t Au from 30m and 5m @ 0.41g/t Au from 82m

Executive Chairman John Dorward said:

“This drilling is the final piece of our exploration strategy, confirming the potential for a significant gold district around Katanning. These regional prospects could underpin a network of satellite deposits that enhance the scale and optionality of the broader KGP.”

The results support Ausgold’s three-pronged campaign strategy: de-risking early-stage mining zones at KGP, adding resources, and discovering new gold systems across the 3,500km² tenement package.

Ongoing diamond drilling at Datatine in the Northern Zone is expected to deliver further high-grade results later this quarter.

14 May 2025 | Perth, WA – Core Lithium (ASX:CXO) has released a Restart Study for its flagship Finniss Lithium Project in the Northern Territory, confirming its transformation into a long-life, low-cost underground mining operation with the potential to produce high-quality spodumene concentrate for the next two decades.

The updated study outlines a 20-year mine life, underpinned by 10.73Mt of Ore Reserves at an average grade of 1.29% Li₂O, and forecasts average production of ~205ktpa SC6 equivalent.

Key Highlights:

• All mining to shift to underground methods at BP33 and Grants, improving ore quality and reducing surface impact

• Operating costs reduced by 23%, with mining costs down 40% to $63–72/t and processing costs cut by 33%

• Processing capacity increased to 1.2Mtpa, enabling higher throughput and efficiency

• Capital requirement of $175–200 million, with Core holding $30 million in cash and no debt

• Strong infrastructure and export readiness via the Port of Darwin

CEO Paul Brown said:

“The Restart Study firmly positions Finniss as a competitive, scalable lithium operation capable of weathering price cycles and delivering sustainable value.”

Core’s updated strategy also highlights exploration upside at Blackbeard and BP33 Deeps, along with potential throughput expansions.

14 May 2025 | Perth, WA – Nimy Resources (ASX:NIM) has launched its Phase 2 drilling program at the high-grade Block 3 gallium discovery, part of the company’s extensive Mons Project in Western Australia.

The campaign targets the recently defined Block 3 Central anomaly, with the aim of extending mineralisation along strike and at depth. The 3-week program is expected to support the establishment of a Maiden JORC Resource, a key milestone for the emerging gallium project.

Key Highlights:

• Drilling to expand on previously identified near-surface gallium mineralisation.

• Focus on testing new high-priority targets within the broader 3km x 1.5km Block 3 zone.

• Metallurgical testing underway at Curtin University following CSIRO’s confirmation of high-grade gallium (400–800g/t) in chlorite.

• Phase 3 drilling to follow upon interpretation of Phase 2 results.

Managing Director Luke Hampson said:

“This program is a key step toward defining a world-class gallium deposit. Interest from potential customers reinforces the strategic importance of our progress at Block 3.”

The Mons Project spans over 3,000km² in the Yilgarn Craton, offering multi-commodity potential including gallium, copper, nickel, cobalt, gold and PGEs. Nimy continues to advance exploration in collaboration with CSIRO and Curtin University.

14 May 2025 | Subiaco, WA – Leeuwin Metals (ASX:LM1) has reported strong assay results from its maiden RC drilling campaign at the Marda Gold Project in Western Australia, confirming the presence of shallow, high-grade gold mineralisation at the Marda Central prospect.

The Phase 1 program, comprising 2,000m of RC drilling, targeted extensions beneath existing open pits. Intercepts have demonstrated excellent continuity and mineralisation at depth, supporting immediate follow-up work.

Key intercepts include:

• 16m @ 2.00g/t Au from 134m and 8m @ 3.04g/t Au from 215m (MGRC0006)

• 22m @ 1.25g/t Au from 123m, incl. 3m @ 6.3g/t Au (MGRC0004)

• 21m @ 1.09g/t Au from 98m and 9m @ 2.46g/t Au from 190m (MGRC0005)

• 2m @ 5.45g/t Au from 77m (MGRC0003)

Executive Chairman Christopher Piggott commented:

“This is an outstanding start at Marda. These broad, high-grade intercepts confirm the depth and strike potential of the system. We’re now accelerating Phase 2 drilling to follow up.”

Next steps:

• Phase 2 RC drilling to commence late May

• Planning underway for Evanston Prospect, ~50km north of Marda Central

• Ongoing 3D modelling and regional prospect reviews

The Marda Project covers a 70km greenstone corridor and includes a granted mining lease with proximity to infrastructure, providing strong potential for near-term development.

13 May 2025 | East Perth, WA – Auric Mining (ASX:AWJ) has officially commenced mining operations at its flagship Munda Gold Mine, located just 5km from Widgiemooltha in Western Australia.

The first earth was moved from the Starter Pit on 10 May 2025, marking a major operational milestone for the company. Site preparation, including haul roads, waste dumps and ROM pads, is largely complete, with the full mining team now active on site.

Key Details:

• Mining underway with free-dig operations; first blast expected within two weeks.

• The Starter Pit is expected to yield 125,000 tonnes of ore, producing approximately 6,100 ounces of gold.

• Estimated AISC is A$2,635 per ounce, with completion targeted in five months.

• The project is fully funded through profits from Auric’s Jeffreys Find operation near Norseman.

Managing Director Mark English commented:

“Gold mining is underway. The mine is our future for the next five years, and we are settling in for a sustained period of gold production. It’s a momentous time for Auric.”

The Munda Gold Mine hosts a 145,000-ounce resource, and detailed planning for a larger Main Pit development is anticipated in 2026.