Wide Gold Intercepts Extend Mineralisation at Landed at Last
Recent step-out drilling by Arika Resources (ASX:ARI) has significantly extended the gold mineralisation at the Landed at Last prospect by NEX Metals Exploration Ltd, confirming a gold system that now spans over 800 meters of strike length and reaches depths of at least 150 meters.
Outstanding Drill Results Showcase Robust Gold System
The recently completed Phase 2 Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling program has delivered impressive results that clearly demonstrate the growing potential of the Landed at Last prospect by NEX Metals Exploration Ltd. Standout intercepts include:
• 28m @ 1.40g/t Au from 70m (YMRC102), including 12m @ 3.01g/t Au and a high-grade zone of 1m @ 24.12g/t Au
• 17m @ 1.57g/t Au from 64m (YMRC111), including 11m @ 2.32g/t Au and 1m @ 15.59g/t Au
• 16m @ 1.24g/t Au from 66m (YMRC114), including 6m @ 2.45g/t Au and 1m @ 6.10g/t Au
These results confirm that the gold system not only continues at depth but shows signs of thickening with depth – a highly encouraging indicator for future resource potential.
Strategic Location in a World-Class Gold Region
The Yundamindra Gold Project sits in a prime location within the Eastern Goldfields region of Western Australia, immediately south of a recently announced $44 million joint venture between Iceni Gold (ASX: ICL) and Gold Road Resources (ASX: GOR).
Landed at Last prospect by NEX Metals Exploration Ltd is positioned on the western limb of the Yundamindra Project, at the northern end of what the company calls the "Yellow Brick Road" – a highly mineralised structural corridor extending over 10 kilometres with numerous high-grade historical workings.
Understanding Structural Controls: Why It Matters
Structural corridors like the "Yellow Brick Road" are critical features in orogenic gold systems. These corridors act as pathways for gold-bearing fluids to travel through the rock, depositing gold as conditions change. The mineralisation occurs at the intersection of major northwest-southeast bounding faults and northeast-southwest linking structures.
This structural setting resembles many of the region's most significant gold deposits and provides geologists with predictable targeting parameters for future drilling. The fact that the mineralisation continues along these structures and shows thickening at depth suggests the system could be gaining strength as exploration advances deeper, similar to patterns seen in Carlin gold deposits which are often referred to as the "elephants" of geology.
What Are Structural Controls in Gold Mineralisation?
Structural controls refer to the geological features that influence where and how gold is deposited within a rock mass. In orogenic gold systems, these controls typically include:
• Fault systems: Major faults and their subsidiary structures create pathways for gold-bearing fluids to move through the earth's crust.
• Lithological contacts: The boundaries between different rock types often provide favourable locations for gold deposition due to changes in physical and chemical properties.
• Fold hinges: Where rock layers are bent, creating areas of increased fracturing that can host mineralisation.
• Dilation zones: Areas where faults intersect or change orientation, creating openings for fluid flow and mineral deposition.
At the Landed at Last prospect, the intersection of northwest-southeast trending regional faults with northeast-southwest linking structures creates an ideal setting for gold mineralisation, somewhat resembling the conditions found in epithermal deposits but with different formational characteristics. The recent drilling results confirm that these structural controls are consistent and predictable, which is valuable for planning future exploration activities.
Untapped Potential: Beyond the Old Workings
What makes the Yundamindra Project particularly compelling is that historical exploration was largely limited to shallow drilling around old workings, with very few holes penetrating below 50 meters vertical depth. Modern systematic exploration is now revealing what lies between and beneath these historical areas:
• The ore-hosting structures between old workings remain largely unexplored
• Numerous peak gold-in-soil anomalies have been identified away from historical workings
• The system remains open both along strike and at depth
The approach taken at Landed at Last prospect by NEX Metals Exploration Ltd demonstrates how modern exploration techniques can unlock value in historically mined areas, a strategy that's becoming increasingly important for improving mining in Australia.
Next Steps: Continued Drilling and Target Testing
Arika Resources is preparing to re-commence drilling shortly with a dual focus:
1. Follow up the latest results to further expand the known mineralisation at the Landed at Last prospect by NEX Metals Exploration Ltd and Pennyweight Point
2. Begin systematic testing of the 50+ new targets defined across the broader project area
The company is also awaiting assay results from recent diamond drilling at both Pennyweight Point and Landed at Last, which will provide valuable geological information about the structural controls on mineralisation.
Why Investors Should Track Arika Resources
Arika Resources has positioned itself with significant upside potential by systematically exploring the Yundamindra Gold Project. The company's approach of methodically building an understanding of the structural controls while expanding known mineralisation represents a solid exploration strategy.
With two phases of drilling already revealing substantial gold footprints at multiple prospects, and numerous untested targets, Arika stands at the early stages of what could develop into a significant gold system. The project's location adjacent to a recent $44M joint venture deal highlights the strategic value of the land position.
For investors seeking exposure to gold exploration with clear pathways to discovery, Arika Resources presents a compelling opportunity at a time when the gold price remains strong and interest in quality Australian gold assets continues to grow. This interest extends beyond gold, with other resources like uranium seeing renewed focus in regions such as Mongolia's Orano uranium project and Peninsula Energy's uranium production restart in Wyoming.
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