Major Drilling Program Poised to Transform Greenewood Gold Prospect
Marmota's team has already departed for the site to prepare drilling infrastructure, with all necessary permits secured. The ambitious drilling campaign will more than double the total number of RC holes ever drilled at Greenewood, with operations expected to commence within approximately 5 days.
The program represents a substantial step-up in exploration intensity at Greenewood, which has seen limited drilling to date:
| Previous Drilling Type | Number of Holes | Total Meters |
|---|---|---|
| RAB (Rotary Air Blast) | 12 | 372m |
| RC (Reverse Circulation) | 109 | 7,109m |
| Diamond | 5 | 764m |
| Total Previous Drilling | 126 | 8,245m |
| Planned New RC Drilling | 127 | 10,000m |
Many of the pre-existing holes at Greenewood appear to have been drilled too shallow, suggesting the company may unlock significantly more potential with this more comprehensive approach.
"Marmota's Gawler gold project is progressing beautifully. As our flagship Aurora Tank gold deposit progresses through production-related studies, we are delighted to carry out our maiden program at the nearby Greenewood gold deposit. Marmota is developing a pipeline of adjacent gold deposits, as we rapidly grow and expand our Gawler gold project." – Dr. Colin Rose, Chairman, Marmota Limited
Strategic Location Creates Significant Operational Synergies
Greenewood is strategically positioned approximately 35km northwest of Marmota's flagship Aurora Tank gold deposit and about 30km northeast of the Challenger Gold mine. This proximity creates operational economies of scope and scale for the company's expanding Gawler Gold operations.
The Greenewood deposit is part of the recently announced Golden Moon Joint Venture with Coombedown Resources Pty Ltd, in which Marmota (via Half Moon) holds a 90% ownership stake. Ministerial consent to the Golden Moon title transfers was recently granted, clearing the way for this accelerated exploration program.
Understanding RC Drilling: Why It Matters for Gold Exploration
Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling is a fast and cost-effective method widely used in gold exploration. Unlike diamond drilling, which recovers continuous cores of rock, RC drilling uses a pneumatic hammer and compressed air to break the rock into small chips that are returned to surface through the center of the drill pipe.
For investors, RC drilling represents an efficient exploration technique that allows Marmota to:
- Test a larger area more economically than diamond drilling
- Obtain representative samples from a wide area to define the extent of mineralisation
- Rapidly advance the project with higher daily production rates
- Make informed decisions about resource potential before committing to more expensive drilling methods
RC drilling is particularly valuable at Greenewood, where the company aims to establish the broader mineralisation patterns across the property with this extensive campaign.
Gold Price Tailwinds Enhance Project Economics
A key factor enhancing the potential value of this exploration program is the performance of gold prices. The current gold price of approximately A$5,000 per ounce is nearly three times higher than when Greenewood was last drilled in 2018 (approximately A$1,600 per ounce).
This increase in gold prices significantly improves the economic potential of the deposit, potentially turning previously marginal mineralisation into economically viable resources.
Marmota's Expanding Gawler Gold Portfolio
Marmota is systematically building a multi-deposit gold project in the Gawler Craton region, with several key components:
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Aurora Tank (100% owned) – The flagship deposit featuring outstanding gold intersections including multiple bonanza gold grades close to surface, with excellent metallurgical recoveries and potential for low-cost, low-capex open pit heap leach gold production.
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Golden Moon JV – Including the Greenewood deposit, located near Aurora Tank, creating operational synergies.
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WGCJV gold deposits – The Monsoon and Typhoon prospects where Marmota holds 100% of the gold rights.
This strategic approach allows Marmota to potentially develop a hub-and-spoke operation centered around Aurora Tank, leveraging shared infrastructure and processing facilities across multiple deposits.
Why Investors Should Monitor Marmota's Progress
Marmota represents a potential opportunity for gold-focused investors for several reasons:
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Systematic Expansion Strategy – The company is methodically growing its resource base through targeted exploration at multiple deposits within the same geological region.
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Strong Gold Price Environment – With gold trading at historical highs in Australian dollar terms, the timing for development of new gold resources appears favourable.
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Operational Synergies – The proximity of multiple deposits creates the potential for shared infrastructure and processing facilities, potentially affecting capital requirements and operating costs.
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Diversified Asset Base – Beyond gold, Marmota also holds titanium and uranium projects in South Australia, providing exposure to multiple commodity sectors.
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Experienced Management – The company's technical team has demonstrated capability in making and advancing discoveries in the Gawler Craton region.
The upcoming drill results from Greenewood will be a key catalyst for the company, potentially adding new gold resources to Marmota's growing portfolio at a time when gold prices are providing economic tailwinds.
As Marmota advances both production studies at Aurora Tank and exploration at Greenewood simultaneously, investors have multiple potential value drivers to monitor in the coming months.
The Gawler Craton: South Australia's Gold Province
The Gawler Craton, where Marmota's gold projects are located, is one of Australia's premier gold provinces. This geological region spans approximately 440,000 square kilometres of central South Australia and hosts several notable gold deposits.
The craton is composed of ancient rocks dating from Archaean to Mesoproterozoic age (approximately 3.2 billion to 1.45 billion years old). Gold mineralisation in the region is typically associated with specific geological events that occurred during the Mesoproterozoic era.
Key characteristics of gold deposits in the Gawler Craton include:
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Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) Deposits – The region is known for world-class IOCG deposits like Olympic Dam, which contain significant gold credits alongside copper and uranium.
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Mesothermal Gold Systems – Many gold deposits in the region formed in shear zones and structural features during regional tectonic events.
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Near-Surface Potential – Several deposits, including Aurora Tank, feature shallow mineralisation amenable to open-pit mining methods.
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Underexplored Potential – Despite hosting significant deposits, large portions of the Gawler Craton remain underexplored due to factors including surface cover and restricted access in the Woomera Prohibited Defence Area.
Marmota's Greenewood and Aurora Tank deposits exhibit characteristics typical of gold mineralisation in the region, but with their own distinct geological features that make them attractive exploration targets.
The current drilling program at Greenewood aims to better define these characteristics and establish the scale and continuity of gold mineralisation across the property.
For investors looking at South Australian gold projects, understanding the regional geological context provides important perspective on the potential of Marmota's expanding gold portfolio in this mineral-rich province.
Ready to Capitalise on Marmota's Gold Momentum?
Discover how Marmota's aggressive drilling program at Greenewood could transform their expanding Gawler Craton gold portfolio. With gold trading at A$5,000 per ounce and strategic operational synergies developing between multiple deposits, now is the time to investigate this emerging opportunity. For comprehensive investor information and to stay updated on upcoming drill results, visit www.marmota.com.au today.
