E79 Gold Mines Limited (ASX: E79) has delivered encouraging results from its latest exploration campaign at the Laverton South Gold Project in Western Australia. The E79 Gold Mines Laverton South discovery has revealed multiple gold anomalies identified and significant gold nugget discoveries enhancing the prospectivity of this emerging gold play.
The air-core drilling program has identified 1m @ 0.41g/t Au from 88m in hole 25LRAC164, with additional intersections including 4m @ 0.12g/t Au from 60m and 4m @ 0.18g/t Au from 72m. Significantly, these results sit below the regional paleochannel in prospective bedrock geology, suggesting potential for deeper mineralisation.
Key Drilling Results and Geological Significance
The most compelling result from the 15-hole, 1,320-metre air-core program comes from hole 25LRAC164, which returned 1m @ 0.41g/t Au at the end of hole from 88 metres depth. This intersection is particularly significant as it represents mineralisation in bedrock below the paleochannel cover sequence.
Furthermore, the E79 Gold Mines Laverton South discovery demonstrates excellent geological continuity across the drilling area:
| Hole ID | From (m) | To (m) | Interval | Grade (g/t Au) | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25LRAC164 | 88 | 89 | 1m | 0.41 | End of hole in bedrock |
| 25LRAC160 | 60 | 64 | 4m | 0.12 | Below paleochannel |
| 25LRAC161 | 72 | 76 | 4m | 0.18 | Base of paleochannel |
The drilling targeted an area northwest of KalGold's emerging Lighthorse discovery, positioning E79 Gold strategically within this developing gold corridor. The geological setting shows promise with chlorite-sericite altered mafic rocks encountered at depth – a rock type considered highly prospective for gold mineralisation.
All assay results from the recently completed wide-spaced air-core drilling program have now been returned, with gold anomalism identified in the central line of drilling. Significantly, the anomalous gold sits below the paleochannel that blankets much of the area, highlighting the potential for gold discoveries at depth.
CEO Ned Summerhayes made this comment highlighting the significance of the results achieved through the exploration program.
Understanding Paleochannel Geology: A Key to Gold Discovery
Paleochannels represent ancient river systems that have been buried over geological time. In the Yilgarn Craton, these features often act as important pathways for gold transportation and deposition. When gold-bearing bedrock is weathered and eroded, precious metals can be transported along these ancient waterways and concentrated in various geological settings.
For investors, paleochannel-hosted gold deposits offer several advantages. They typically occur at relatively shallow depths, can extend over considerable distances, and often indicate the presence of primary gold sources in the surrounding bedrock. Consequently, the E79 Gold Mines Laverton South discovery of gold anomalism both within and below the paleochannel system suggests multiple styles of mineralisation may be present.
Furthermore, paleochannel exploration provides a cost-effective method for identifying areas of gold concentration. The shallow nature of these deposits reduces drilling costs whilst maintaining potential for economic mineralisation. Additionally, the presence of gold in paleochannels also serves as a valuable exploration indicator, guiding companies towards the primary source rocks that originally hosted the precious metals.
Surface Gold Discovery Enhances Project Potential
Beyond the drilling results, E79 Gold has identified numerous small gold nuggets recovered from surface prospecting activities across a 500m x 500m area in the northern tenements. One particularly significant nugget was discovered within quartz-veined mafic volcanic rock showing visible crystalline gold, indicating a potential proximal lode-style gold source.
The nugget discovery area coincides with two parallel gold anomalies identified through soil sampling, with results exceeding 30ppb gold and historical drilling intersections including 4m @ 1.17g/t Au from 4m and 1m @ 0.28g/t Au from 12m.
| Soil Sample Highlights | Au (ppb) | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| PLS1170 | 95.8 | Highest soil anomaly |
| PLS1175 | 82.0 | Strong correlation |
| PLS1197 | 90.5 | Multiple high-grade zones |
The presence of visible gold in quartz veining represents a particularly encouraging development. Such occurrences typically indicate nearby primary gold sources, where mineralising fluids have deposited gold directly from solution. However, the crystalline nature of the gold suggests minimal transport from the original source, pointing to potential lode-style mineralisation within the immediate vicinity.
Strategic Location Within World-Class Gold Province
The Laverton South Project spans 272km² within the southern portion of the Laverton Tectonic Zone, one of the world's richest gold belts with more than 30 million ounces in historical production, reserves and resources. The project sits approximately 130km east-northeast of Kalgoorlie and hosts prolific deposits including:
- Granny Smith: 5.8Moz
- Sunrise Dam: 10.3Moz
- Wallaby: 11.8Moz
This geological setting provides significant exploration upside, with E79 Gold's tenements strategically positioned along the regionally significant Pinjin Fault, which hosts localised gold mineralisation over 50km along strike. The fault system represents a major structural control on gold mineralisation throughout the region, with numerous deposits aligned along this corridor.
In addition, the proximity to established operations provides additional advantages through shared infrastructure and geological understanding. The Laverton region benefits from well-developed mining infrastructure, including processing facilities, transport links, and skilled labour availability.
What Makes This Discovery Particularly Significant?
The E79 Gold Mines Laverton South discovery stands out for several technical reasons that investors should understand. The combination of bedrock gold intersections beneath paleochannel cover represents a classic exploration model that has led to significant discoveries throughout the Yilgarn Craton.
Geological Indicators of Success
The altered mafic volcanic rocks encountered in drilling represent highly favourable host lithologies for orogenic gold deposits. These rock types commonly host world-class gold deposits throughout Western Australia, including many of the region's largest mines.
For instance, the presence of chlorite-sericite alteration indicates hydrothermal fluid activity – the same processes responsible for depositing gold in economic concentrations. When combined with structural controls such as the Pinjin Fault system, these geological factors create an optimal environment for gold concentration.
Accelerated Exploration Timeline and Upcoming Catalysts
E79 Gold has outlined an aggressive exploration strategy for the coming months, building upon the success of the initial discovery:
Immediate Priorities
- New regional air-core drilling program (subject to heritage surveys)
- Deeper RC drilling to test anomalous areas beneath the paleochannel
- Follow-up of T14 South results announced in October 2025
Cue Metals Acquisition Timeline
- Shareholder meeting scheduled for November 27, 2025
- Upon approval, aggressive exploration program at Cue Gold Project
- Detailed ground gravity program completion by end of 2025
The Cue acquisition will add the 65km² Cue Gold Project in the Murchison Gold Province, located immediately south of Westgold's Great Fingall Gold Mine, providing additional near-term discovery opportunities.
The systematic approach to exploration demonstrates management's commitment to maximising discovery potential whilst maintaining cost discipline. Furthermore, the staged drilling programs allow for progressive target refinement, focusing resources on the most prospective areas identified through initial reconnaissance work.
Investment Thesis: Multi-Project Gold Explorer with Near-Term Catalysts
E79 Gold presents a compelling investment proposition for several key reasons that centre around the E79 Gold Mines Laverton South discovery:
Asset Quality
The company controls ~2,336km² of highly prospective ground across proven gold provinces, including the Laverton Tectonic Zone and Murchison Goldfields.
Strategic Positioning
Located adjacent to major gold discoveries and producing mines, with the Laverton South Project sitting northwest of KalGold's Lighthorse discovery.
Multiple Discovery Vectors
The combination of drilling anomalies, surface nugget discoveries, and soil sampling results indicates multiple pathways to significant gold discovery.
Management Execution
Under CEO Ned Summerhayes' leadership, the company has maintained a systematic exploration approach with appropriate QAQC protocols and strategic targeting.
The diversified asset base provides multiple opportunities for discovery success. However, investors should note that exploration carries inherent risks, with no guarantee of commercial discovery despite favourable geological indicators.
Why Investors Should Monitor E79 Gold's Progress
E79 Gold has assembled a portfolio of gold projects in world-class geological terranes with multiple near-term catalysts that could drive significant value creation. The Laverton South results demonstrate the company's ability to identify and advance genuine gold prospects, while the pending Cue acquisition provides additional exploration upside.
The combination of proven geological settings, systematic exploration success, and strategic positioning near major discoveries creates a compelling narrative for investors seeking exposure to Australian gold exploration. Consequently, the company's focus on established gold provinces reduces geological risk whilst maintaining upside potential through systematic target generation and testing.
Additionally, the technical competence demonstrated through the Laverton South program provides confidence in management's ability to execute future exploration campaigns effectively. The integration of multiple exploration techniques, from soil sampling to air-core drilling, demonstrates a methodical approach to prospect evaluation.
Market Positioning and Future Outlook
Current Market Position: Trading on the ASX under code E79, the company offers investors direct exposure to high-quality gold exploration assets in proven geological settings, with multiple catalysts expected over the coming 12 months.
Key Takeaway: E79 Gold has demonstrated genuine gold discovery potential across multiple projects, with the Laverton South drilling results and surface nugget discoveries providing strong validation of the company's exploration strategy. With the Cue acquisition pending and aggressive exploration programs planned, investors should monitor E79 Gold as it advances toward potential resource definition and development milestones.
Ready to Explore E79 Gold's Discovery Potential?
With multiple gold anomalies identified at Laverton South, significant nugget discoveries across a 500m x 500m area, and the pending Cue acquisition adding 65km² of prospective ground, E79 Gold Mines presents compelling exploration upside in world-class gold provinces. The company's systematic approach has delivered genuine discovery results, positioning it strategically within the Laverton Tectonic Zone's 30+ million ounce gold belt. To discover more about E79 Gold's diversified project portfolio, upcoming drilling campaigns, and investment opportunity, visit e79gold.com.au and explore how this emerging gold explorer is advancing towards potential resource definition across multiple high-quality Australian gold projects.
