STRIKING GOLD: ALBION RESOURCES HITS EXCEPTIONAL HIGH-GRADE INTERCEPTS AT YANDAL WEST
Albion Resources (ASX:ALB) has struck gold in a major way at its Yandal West Gold Project, delivering a stunning high-grade intercept of 11m @ 20.0g/t gold from just 17m depth in its maiden RC drilling program at the Collavilla Prospect.
STANDOUT DISCOVERY VALIDATES EXPLORATION STRATEGY
In what CEO Peter Goh describes as a "phenomenal start," Albion's initial drilling campaign has delivered exceptional results, with gold mineralisation intersected in all completed drill holes. The shallow drilling program, averaging just 44m in depth, tested a small 100m x 100m area within the much larger Ives Find prospective granite intrusive that spans an impressive 4km x 750m.
The headline result from drill hole ALBRC006 returned 11m at 20.0g/t Au from 17m including an even higher-grade zone of 5m at 38.9g/t Au which contained 1m at 106.9g/t Au. This represents the best drilling intersection ever recorded on the project.
Other significant results from the western zone include:
- 12m at 1.3g/t Au from 4m including 1m at 6.0g/t Au (ALBRC007)
- 9m at 1.6g/t Au from 11m including 6m at 2.3g/t Au (ALBRC009)
"This is a phenomenal start to our drilling at Collavilla. Every completed hole has intersected gold, including a standout 11m at 20.0g/t from just 17m depth. These shallow, high-grade results confirm the presence of a gold system and we've only tested a small portion of the broader Ives Find footprint," commented CEO Peter Goh.
NEW GEOLOGICAL INSIGHT DRIVES EXPLORATION STRATEGY
A key breakthrough in Albion's exploration has been the identification of a strong correlation between high-grade gold veins and thicker bands of mafic greenstone structurally entrained within the Ives Find granite.
The company has observed that very thick 5-10m lenses of mafic greenstone rock occur immediately below a more steeply dipping zone of high-grade gold mineralisation, suggesting these denser mafic zones create favourable conditions for gold deposition when intersected by gold-bearing structures.
This geological insight has prompted Albion to initiate a ground gravity survey focused over the entire Ives Find granite, designed specifically to detect these critical mafic zones that may host additional high-grade gold mineralisation at depth or along strike.
UNDERSTANDING THE GOLD SYSTEM
The gold mineralisation at Collavilla occurs as quartz vein structures surrounded by altered granite selvages, often associated with mafic rafts or dykes within the Ives granitic intrusive host. The drilling has identified several distinct zones:
Western Zone: Contains the standout high-grade intercept in ALBRC006, with nearby holes also hitting significant mineralisation around historical mining shafts.
Southwestern Extension: Several holes intersected narrow quartz-sulphide veins and broad hematite-sericite-pyrite altered granite halos, indicating potential for expansion to the west and south.
Northern Extension: Additional drilling revealed modest but promising mineralisation, with broad halos up to 16m thick and assays up to 3g/t Au.
WHAT ARE MAFIC RAFTS AND WHY DO THEY MATTER?
Mafic rafts are fragments of darker, denser volcanic rock that have been incorporated into the granite during its formation. These dense mafic rocks react differently to mineralised fluids compared to the surrounding granite, often creating ideal structural traps for gold deposition.
When gold-bearing fluids move through the granite and encounter these mafic zones along structural pathways, the chemical and physical contrast can trigger gold precipitation, potentially forming high-grade shoots. This is why Albion's gravity survey strategy is so critical – it aims to locate these hidden dense mafic bodies that may host additional high-grade gold deposits.
The gravity survey works by detecting subtle differences in rock density. Since mafic rocks are denser than the surrounding granite, they create measurable gravity anomalies that can be mapped and targeted in future drilling. This non-invasive geophysical technique allows Albion to efficiently explore the entire 4km by 750m Ives Find granite intrusive, potentially identifying multiple new high-grade targets similar to the one encountered in ALBRC006.
IMMEDIATE EXPLORATION ROADMAP
Albion is rapidly advancing exploration across the Yandal West Project with several near-term catalysts:
Ground Gravity Survey (In Progress): Covering a 4.5km x 1.3km area over the Ives Find granite to identify potential mafic bodies associated with high-grade gold mineralisation.
Pending Assay Results: Results from the remaining RC drill holes are expected within approximately two weeks.
RC Drilling to Resume (Early August): With ~1,100m of drilling remaining in the current program, targeting:
- Down-dip extensions of significant intersections at Collavilla
- Follow-up of previous high-grade intercepts at Barwidgee Prospect (4m @ 9.0g/t Au)
- Assessment of the May Queen Prospect based on historical drilling
WHY ALBION PRESENTS A COMPELLING GOLD OPPORTUNITY
Albion Resources has strategically positioned itself in the highly prospective Yandal Greenstone Belt, a region known for world-class gold deposits. The company's initial drilling success, achieving significant high-grade gold intercepts from shallow depths, provides several compelling investment considerations:
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High-Grade Discovery Potential: The exceptional grade of 11m @ 20.0g/t Au from shallow depths indicates the potential for a significant high-grade gold system.
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Vast Exploration Upside: The current drilling has tested only a tiny fraction (100m x 100m) of the 4km x 750m Ives Find granite intrusive.
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Smart Geological Targeting: The identification of the relationship between mafic rocks and high-grade gold provides a clear pathway for targeting additional mineralisation.
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Multiple Near-Term Catalysts: With ongoing gravity survey results, pending assays, and further drilling planned, investors can expect regular news flow.
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Fully Funded Exploration: The company is well-positioned to extend its drilling program as results warrant.
With gold trading near all-time highs and the Albion Resources gold discovery demonstrating early exploration success, Albion Resources represents an opportunity to gain exposure to a potentially significant gold discovery at an early stage. The shallow nature of the mineralisation discovered thus far also suggests any future development could benefit from favourable economics due to low stripping ratios.
"This quarter is shaping up to be a transformational one," notes CEO Peter Goh, with multiple catalysts on the horizon that could further validate the company's exploration strategy and potentially revalue the company as the scale of the gold system becomes better understood.
Want to Capitalise on Albion's High-Grade Gold Discovery?
Don't miss this opportunity to be part of Albion Resources' exciting gold story in the Yandal Greenstone Belt. With exceptional intercepts of 11m @ 20.0g/t gold from shallow depths and a systematic exploration approach targeting a 4km x 750m prospective zone, Albion presents a compelling investment case. To learn more about their Yandal West Gold Project and upcoming catalysts, visit Albion Resources' website for comprehensive investor information.
