Yundamindra Gold Project: 27 New Targets Expand Discovery

Arika Resources Limited (ASX: ARI) has identified 27 new target areas at its Yundamindra Gold Project in Western Australia's eastern goldfields district, significantly expanding the project's discovery potential. This development follows a comprehensive synthesis and targeting assessment of multiple historical surface geochemical datasets.

Multiple High-Priority Gold Targets Emerge from Comprehensive Review

The company's latest review has revealed widespread basement-sourced geochemical anomalies indicative of orogenic-style gold mineralisation. Many of the identified targets have either never been explored or remain significantly under-explored, presenting substantial opportunities for future discovery.

Two standout high-priority targets have emerged from the review:

• At Pennyweight Point: Strong, coherent NNE trending gold anomalism at >100ppb Au extends over an impressive area of +2km by +1km, with peak concentrations occurring well away from historical workings and previous drilling.

• At Banjo's Camp: Strong, coherent E-W trending gold anomalism at >100ppb Au extends over an area of +1km x 1km, proximal to several large, wide gold-bearing quartz reefs.

Additionally, the review identified multiple anomalies over +10km of strike along the Western Corridor, highlighting extensions to known mineralisation and suggesting the potential for several previously unrecognised parallel lodes.

Southern Project Area Emerges as High-Value Target

A key finding from the review is that the southern half of the Yundamindra Project has not been effectively sampled by historical surveys. This area represents a high-priority, complex structural target centred on the nose of the Yundamindra synclinal fold closure where the Eastern and Western structural corridors coalesce.

This southern area bears geological similarities to significant nearby gold deposits. The world-class Sunrise Dam Gold Deposit (owned by Anglo Gold) and the Ulysses, Butterfly, and Orient Well Gold Deposits (owned by Genesis Minerals) are spatially associated with the same Proterozoic Dyke, located approximately 30km east and 60km west respectively of Arika's Yundamindra Gold Project.

To better understand this promising southern area, the company plans to conduct an ultra-detailed airborne magnetic survey to help focus surface geochemical sampling and drill testing of key structures.

Building on Prior Success

These latest discoveries build upon Arika's previous geophysical review, which had already identified 25+ priority targets at Yundamindra. The combined 50+ targets now recognised across the project area demonstrate the exceptional scale of the opportunity.

Justin Barton, Arika's Managing Director, highlighted the significance of the findings: "The identification of 27 new targets, on top of the 25+ priority targets already identified from the previous historical geophysical review, is really starting to show the magnitude of the opportunity in front of us at Yundamindra."

Understanding Orogenic Gold Systems

Orogenic gold deposits are formed through the interaction of deep crustal fluids with suitable host rocks along structural pathways. These deposits typically form in metamorphic belts at convergent plate boundaries and are characterised by their structural control and association with regional-scale fault systems. The formation of these systems shares similarities with porphyry and epithermal deposits in terms of fluid dynamics, although the tectonic settings differ considerably.

Key characteristics of orogenic gold systems:

1. Structural Control: Orogenic gold deposits are predominantly controlled by structural features such as faults, shears, and folds. These structures act as conduits for gold-bearing fluids and often provide the necessary space for mineralisation.

2. Regional Fault Systems: These deposits typically occur along or near major regional fault zones that extend to great depths, sometimes referred to as "deep crustal/mantle tapping structures." At Yundamindra, the project area is bounded by the NNW trending regional scale Ockerburry, Celia, and Hootanui Faults—structures considered crucial in the development of all major gold deposits in the Laverton-Leonora region.

3. Lithological Controls: While structure is the primary control, the interaction between different rock types (lithological contacts) can also play an important role in localising gold mineralisation. The contrast in physical and chemical properties between different rock types can create favourable sites for gold deposition.

4. Alteration Signatures: These systems typically display characteristic alteration patterns including silicification, sericitisation, carbonation, and sulphidation, which extend beyond the mineralised zones and can serve as exploration vectors.

5. Geochemical Signatures: Orogenic gold deposits often show associations with elements such as arsenic, antimony, tungsten, and bismuth, which can be used as pathfinders in geochemical exploration.

At Yundamindra, the geophysical interpretation reveals a structurally complex environment with intrusive volcanic and granitic interactions accompanied by intense structural disruptions. These elements—the interaction between different rock types and complex structural architecture—are consistently associated with many of the region's most significant multi-million-ounce gold deposits. Similar geological features can be observed at the Northparkes copper-gold mine, albeit with different primary mineralisation.

Strategic Next Steps

Arika has outlined a clear path forward following these promising results:

1. Field assessment of all targets is currently underway, including mapping and rock chip sampling
2. Integration of geochemical review results with previous geophysical targeting and historical drilling data
3. Ultra-detailed airborne magnetics survey over the southern project area
4. Focused lithogeochemical sampling (auger/aircore/RC) guided by structural interpretation
5. Drill testing of priority targets once all regulatory approvals (including heritage surveys and POWs) have been received

Strategic investments in human capital will be crucial for Arika as they expand their exploration activities, requiring skilled geologists and field technicians to effectively evaluate these numerous targets.

Investment Thesis: Why Arika Warrants Attention

Arika Resources presents a compelling investment case for gold-focused investors for several reasons:

1. Proven Gold District: The Yundamindra Project is situated in the world-class eastern goldfields district of Western Australia, just 65km southwest of Laverton—a region known for hosting numerous multi-million-ounce gold deposits.

2. Systematic Exploration Approach: The company is employing a disciplined, methodical approach to exploration, utilising modern techniques to unlock value from historically underexplored areas.

3. Multiple High-Quality Targets: With over 50 identified targets across the project area (including the newly identified 27 geochemical targets), Arika has generated a substantial pipeline of exploration opportunities.

4. Structural Setting: The project's geological setting shares characteristics with major gold deposits in the region, including proximity to the same Proterozoic Dyke associated with world-class deposits like Sunrise Dam.

5. Experienced Leadership: Management has demonstrated technical capability in target generation and exhibits a systematic approach to prioritising and testing these targets.

For investors seeking exposure to gold exploration with significant discovery potential, Arika Resources offers a compelling combination of project quality, technical expertise, and systematic exploration within a proven gold-producing region. Mining plays a crucial role in the clean energy transition, and gold's status as both a precious metal and stable investment vehicle continues to drive exploration interest.

Any investment decisions should be made with careful consideration of the JORC Code, which provides standards for public reporting of mineral resources. Arika's exploration results will be reported under these guidelines, giving investors confidence in the quality and reliability of the technical information provided.

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