Far Northern Resources Completes Phase One Drilling at Bridge Creek
Far Northern Resources (ASX:FNR) has successfully completed Phase One of its drilling programme at the Bridge Creek gold project in the Northern Territory, executing an important step in its resource validation and expansion strategy.
Strategic Drilling Programme Verifies Historical Data and Tests Extensions
Far Northern Resources has completed 1,915 metres of reverse circulation (RC) drilling at its Bridge Creek project, with all samples now submitted to the laboratory in Pine Creek for analysis. The drilling programme was strategically designed to accomplish two critical objectives:
- Testing extensions to the known resource along strike (both north and south)
- Validating approximately 20% of historic drilling that was excluded from the initial JORC resource calculation
The company’s geological team reported that the samples collected closely matched those logged during previous historic drilling campaigns, providing initial validation of the deposit’s consistency.
“It was certainly satisfying to see the chip trays, and the samples, almost exactly matched with what had been logged from previous historic drilling campaigns,” commented the Far Northern Resources board and geological team.
Drilling Strategy: Targeted Resource Expansion
The drilling programme was methodically planned, with specific hole groupings targeting different objectives:
| Drill Holes | Target Objective |
|---|---|
| FNRBCRC019-022 | Southern extension of known resource |
| FNRBCRC015-018 | Northern extension of known resource |
| FNRBCRC004-006 | Gap between known resource and excluded crossover drilling (1990s) |
| FNRBCRC007-010, 012-014 | Testing and confirming 1990s crossover drilling |
All holes have been initially surveyed by GPS, with a licensed surveyor to follow for precise positioning. Initial assay results are expected within 4-6 weeks, representing the next key catalyst for the company.
Understanding Bridge Creek Mineralisation
Bridge Creek represents an important gold deposit within the Pine Creek Geosyncline, a tightly folded sequence of Lower Proterozoic rocks. The deposit is situated along the axis of the Howley Anticline, approximately 12km north of the Cosmopolitan Howley Gold Mine.
Gold mineralisation at Bridge Creek occurs in three distinct styles:
- Quartz-sulphide stockwork zones within pyritic and carbonaceous black shales (dominant style)
- Quartz-sulphide impregnated shear zones at the contact between Gerowie Tuff and Zamu Dolerite
- Quartz-sulphide veins within the Zamu Dolerite
This geological diversity provides multiple mineralisation targets across the property.
Gold Mineralisation in the Pine Creek Geosyncline
The Pine Creek Geosyncline represents one of the Northern Territory’s most significant mineral provinces. This geological formation consists of a tightly folded sequence of Lower Proterozoic rocks, approximately 10-14km in thickness, laid down on a rifted granitic Archaean basement during the interval of approximately 2.2-1.87 billion years ago.
The sequence is dominated by pelitic and psammitic sediments (continental shelf shallow marine deposits) with minor inter-layered tuff units. Pre-orogenic mafic sills of the Zamu Dolerite event (approximately 1.87 billion years ago) intruded the lower formations of the South Alligator Group.
At Bridge Creek, the gold mineralisation post-dates the regional folding events (F1-F3) and occurs primarily in association with quartz-sulphide assemblages. The mineralisation appears to be arranged in relation to the hinge zone of the Howley Anticline, with veins on the east side of the anticline dipping west, while those on the west side dip east.
The technical characteristics of the Bridge Creek deposit make it particularly amenable to exploration via RC drilling, which provides cost-effective sampling of the mineralised zones while maintaining good sample quality and recovery.
Bridge Creek: A Key Asset in FNR’s Portfolio
The Bridge Creek project forms a significant component of Far Northern Resources’ mineral resource inventory. According to the company’s latest JORC resource statement (as of June 2024), the Bridge Creek deposit contains:
| Classification | Tonnes (Mt) | Grade (g/t) | Ounces (koz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inferred | 1.97 | 1.12 | 70.56 |
When combined with FNR’s Indicated resource at Empire Stockworks in Queensland (16.89koz), the company holds a total mineral resource of 2.79 million tonnes at 1.04 g/t gold for 93,060 ounces.
Why This Matters for Investors
The completion of Phase One drilling at Bridge Creek represents a significant milestone for Far Northern Resources for several reasons:
- Resource validation – The programme helps verify historical data and potentially upgrade resource classifications
- Growth potential – Targeting extensions both north and south could materially expand the resource base
- Technical de-risking – Additional metallurgical samples have been collected for future testing
- Near-term catalysts – Assay results expected in 4-6 weeks provide a clear timeline for news flow
For investors, this methodical approach to resource validation and expansion demonstrates the company’s commitment to building value through systematic exploration. The initial positive feedback regarding correlation with historical drilling suggests the deposit characteristics are in line with expectations.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Milestones
Far Northern Resources’ next steps at Bridge Creek will likely include:
- Analysis of Phase One drilling results (expected in 4-6 weeks)
- Potential resource update incorporating new drill data
- Further drill programmes targeting:
- Redrilling of the crossover holes with increased QAQC support
- Additional exploration along strike and down dip
- Diamond drilling for geotechnical, metallurgical and density testing
With a systematic approach to resource validation and expansion, Far Northern Resources completes drilling program and is positioning itself to further develop its Bridge Creek gold project, potentially adding significant value to its total resource base.
Want to Explore Far Northern Resources’ Gold Growth Potential?
Discover more about Far Northern Resources’ (ASX:FNR) strategic drilling programme at Bridge Creek and their expanding gold resource base in the Northern Territory. With assay results expected within 4-6 weeks and potential for significant resource expansion, now is the time to stay informed about this emerging gold opportunity. Visit Far Northern Resources’ website to learn more about their projects and investment potential.
