LiDAR Survey Unveils 1.1km Gold Strike at Far Northern Resources' Bridge Creek Project
Far Northern Resources (ASX: FNR) has announced promising results from a recently commissioned LiDAR survey at Far Northern Resources' Bridge Creek Project in the Northern Territory, uncovering multiple historical workings with an identified strike length exceeding 1.1 kilometers.
Advanced Technology Reveals Hidden Potential in Historical Gold Region
The high-resolution LiDAR survey has delivered exceptional topographic detail across the entire 6 km² area of FNR's Bridge Creek Mining Leases. Using cutting-edge drone technology, the survey penetrated tree canopy to reveal previously unidentified historical workings that confirm a pattern along the mineral-rich Howley Anticline.
The significance of this discovery is heightened by its geological context – Bridge Creek lies directly north of eight mines that historically produced over 3 million ounces of gold along the Howley Anticline, a well-documented geological structure.
"FNR is pleased to announce the successful completion of a LiDAR survey (drone) across its tenements at Bridge Creek. This cutting-edge dataset provides exceptional topographic detail, enabling the company to strategically design drill holes aimed at expanding near-mine resources with maximum efficiency," stated Cameron Woodrow, CEO of Far Northern Resources.
Technical Excellence Delivers Superior Results
The LiDAR survey was conducted using advanced drone technology – a DJI Matrice 350 RPAS equipped with a Zenmuse L2 LIDAR payload. Flights at 70m above ground level produced an impressive point density of approximately 1000 points per meter, allowing for sub-10 cm vertical accuracy.
This precision mapping technology has produced three critical outputs for FNR:
- Identification of previously unknown historical workings
- Confirmation of geological theories about target mineralization zones
- Detailed topographic data for future drilling and infrastructure planning
Building on Recent Drilling Success
The survey results are particularly significant when considered alongside FNR's recent phase one drilling results. Notably, drill hole FNRBCRC022, which returned an impressive 3m @ 36.82g/t Au, is located directly northwest of what now appears to be an old Chinese working identified in the survey.
This correlation suggests the company's exploration approach is on the right track, with the new LiDAR data providing multiple additional targets for the upcoming phase two drilling program.
Understanding LiDAR Technology in Mineral Exploration
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology has emerged as a game-changing tool in modern mineral exploration. Unlike traditional aerial photography, LiDAR can penetrate vegetation to reveal subtle topographic features like historical mining activities that would otherwise remain hidden.
For investors, the application of LiDAR represents a significant technological advantage – allowing exploration companies to identify and prioritize targets with much higher precision, reducing costs and increasing the probability of discovery success.
The technology works by emitting laser pulses from an airborne platform and measuring the time taken for reflections to return, creating millions of precise measurement points that form a detailed 3D model of the terrain.
How LiDAR Works in Gold Exploration
LiDAR systems operate by sending out thousands of laser pulses per second and measuring the time it takes for each pulse to bounce back after hitting an object. This creates a "point cloud" of measurements that can be processed to generate highly accurate 3D models of the terrain.
In gold exploration specifically, LiDAR offers several key advantages:
- Vegetation Penetration: The laser pulses can partially penetrate vegetation canopy, revealing ground features hidden beneath trees and brush
- Historical Feature Detection: Subtle topographic changes from historical mining activities can be detected and mapped
- Structural Analysis: The high-resolution data allows geologists to identify geological structures that may control mineralization
- Efficient Target Generation: Areas with historical workings often indicate zones of known mineralization, providing efficient drill targets
The centimeter-level accuracy of modern LiDAR survey at Far Northern Resources makes them particularly valuable in areas with challenging terrain or dense vegetation cover, such as FNR's Bridge Creek project.
Strategic Positioning in a Proven Gold District
FNR's Bridge Creek project is strategically positioned within a historically productive gold region. The Howley Anticline has supported eight mines that collectively produced over 3 million ounces of gold, making it one of the Northern Territory's most significant gold-bearing geological structures.
The current JORC resource table for FNR shows the company controls 117,160 ounces of gold resources across three projects:
| Project | Classification | Tonnes (Mt) | Grade (g/t) | Ounces (koz) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empire Stockworks – QLD | Indicated/Inferred | 0.82 | 0.85 | 22.50 |
| Bridge Creek – NT | Inferred | 1.97 | 1.12 | 70.56 |
| Ios – NT | Inferred | 0.50 | 1.49 | 24.10 |
| Total | 3.29 | 1.11 | 117.16 |
This existing resource base provides a solid foundation, with the new LiDAR survey results indicating significant potential for resource expansion.
The Geological Context of Bridge Creek
The Bridge Creek project sits along the Howley Anticline, an asymmetric fold structure that can be traced for approximately 30km from the Cosmo Howley mine to Mt Paqualin. This geological feature is characterized by a steep eastern limb and has been a focus of gold mining since the late 19th century.
Gold mineralization along the Howley Anticline typically occurs where favorable rock units (particularly within the South Alligator Group) and/or intrusions of Zamu Dolerite have been structurally prepared. The gold is generally associated with quartz veins and sulphides, including iron, copper, arsenic, bismuth, lead and zinc sulphides.
The anticline's importance is underscored by the historical production from eight significant mines:
- Howley Ridge
- Howley North
- Big Howley
- Mottrams Mine
- Chinese Howley Mine
- Howley Alluvials Mine
- Chinese South
- Cosmo Mine
FNR's Bridge Creek Mining Leases are positioned north of these historical operations, presenting an opportunity to extend the known gold-bearing corridor.
Next Steps: Ground Validation and Targeted Drilling
FNR has outlined a clear pathway to capitalize on these discoveries:
- Review historical data including drilling, mapping, and sampling across the newly identified areas
- Ground-truth and prioritize the over 30 historic near-surface anomalies identified between Bridge Creek Central and Ios
- Execute phase two drilling targeting Bridge Creek South historic workings
"The board of FNR is encouraged by the success of the recent survey and is keen to get onto the ground to follow up on the data," the company stated.
Why Investors Should Track Far Northern Resources
FNR presents a compelling investment case for gold-focused investors:
- Strategic Land Position: Controlling mining leases on a proven gold-bearing geological structure that has historically produced over 3 million ounces
- Resource Foundation: An established 117,160-ounce gold resource base across three projects
- Technology Advantage: Utilizing cutting-edge exploration technology to identify high-probability targets
- Recent Drilling Success: Phase one drilling demonstrated high-grade intercepts (3m @ 36.82g/t Au)
- Clear Growth Pathway: Multiple newly identified targets along 1.1km of strike length
The company's application of advanced LiDAR technology to systematically identify historical workings demonstrates a sophisticated, data-driven approach to exploration in a region with proven multi-million-ounce potential.
As FNR advances its exploration program at Bridge Creek, the company is well-positioned to potentially expand its resource base in a historically productive gold district.
Ready to Discover a Promising Gold Investment Opportunity?
Intrigued by Far Northern Resources' strategic position along the gold-rich Howley Anticline and their innovative use of LiDAR technology to uncover a 1.1km gold strike? To learn more about FNR's Bridge Creek Project and their growing 117,160-ounce gold resource portfolio, visit Far Northern Resources' website today. Don't miss this opportunity to explore a compelling ASX-listed gold explorer with proven high-grade intercepts and a clear pathway for resource expansion.
