Siona Discovery: Yandal Resources Unveils Significant Gold System at New England Granite
Yandal Resources (ASX: YRL) has received all results from diamond drilling across the Siona Discovery, revealing a broad mineralised system with both low-grade gold envelopes containing significant higher-grade internal zones. The exploration program continues to expand understanding of the New England Granite (NEG) target area within the company's Ironstone Well-Barwidgee Gold Project.
Diamond Drilling Results Highlight Geological Continuity
The latest drilling results from Siona continue to build on the company's understanding of the mineralisation style, with significant intercepts including:
- 16.3m @ 0.5 g/t Au from 322.2m in 25IWBRD0003
- 29.1m @ 0.4g/t Au from 282.9m in 25IWBRD0010
- 6.4m @ 1.5 g/t Au from 103.5m in 25IWBDD0009, including high-grade zones of 0.3m @ 3.6g/t Au, 0.4m @ 12.7g/t Au, and 0.4m @ 6.2g/t Au
Additionally, the diamond tail on the discovery hole 24IWBRC0039 has extended previously reported mineralisation to 116m @ 1.0 g/t Au from 97m, underscoring the substantial width of the mineralised system.
Yandal Resources' Managing Director, Chris Oorschot, emphasised the significance of these findings:
"With the Siona discovery, Yandal Resources has demonstrated the capacity for the New England Granite to host gold mineralisation. Critically, Yandal Resources controls the full extent of this newly defined 2km by 4km granodiorite host within the Yandal Greenstone Belt."
Understanding the Geological Controls
Diamond drilling has provided crucial geological observations that allow Yandal to model the broader mineralised system. Key findings include:
- Broad, low-grade mineralisation with internal higher-grade zones characterises the Siona system
- Higher-grade zones within the broader envelope are associated with increased quartz veining
- Gold mineralisation develops whenever the host granodiorite has been deformed
- Multiple geometries of mineralisation have been identified
These observations suggest that the Siona mineralised system is likely not unique within the New England Granite. Given the broader structural setting of the intrusive host, including several large-scale offsetting structures and proximity to regional shear zones, additional mineralisation occurrences are probable.
What is a Granodiorite Host and Why It Matters to Investors
A granodiorite is an intrusive igneous rock similar to granite but containing more plagioclase feldspar than potassium feldspar. In gold exploration, granodiorite intrusions can be excellent hosts for mineralisation due to their brittle nature when subjected to deformation, creating pathways for gold-bearing fluids.
The significance for investors is that granodiorite-hosted gold systems can contain substantial volumes of mineralisation across large areas. The key observation that "mineralisation develops wherever the host granodiorite has been deformed" is particularly important, as it suggests multiple potential targets across Yandal's 2km by 4km granodiorite body.
Many major gold deposits globally are associated with granodiorite intrusions, making the New England Granite target area particularly prospective for further discoveries beyond Siona discovery at Yandal Resources.
Strategic Targeting Approach
Based on diamond drilling results, Yandal Resources has developed specific targeting criteria to prioritise structural targets derived from geophysics:
- Structures that interact with the intrusive margin with observable offsets
- Northwest-trending features and northeast-striking conjugate structures
- Structures that are oblique to the granodiorite margin
This systematic approach will guide the next phase of exploration across the New England Granite, focusing on areas with the highest probability of hosting significant gold mineralisation.
Upcoming Exploration Activities
With diamond drilling at Siona now complete, Yandal Resources is shifting focus to test the broader potential of the New England Granite. Key upcoming activities include:
- The 12,500m Caladan air-core drilling program scheduled to commence in the last week of May
- Air-core drilling across the Salusa Prospect and several structural targets along the western margin following the Caladan program
- Heritage surveys across the New England Granite in late May/early June to open additional drill positions
Investment Opportunity: Strategic Position in the Yandal Greenstone Belt
Yandal Resources' Ironstone Well-Barwidgee Gold Project is strategically located just 60km south of Northern Star's Jundee mining complex (ASX: NST), positioning the company within one of Australia's premier gold producing regions.
The New England Granite discovery is particularly significant as Yandal controls the entire 2km by 4km granodiorite body. This large-scale intrusive provides multiple exploration targets across a substantial area, with initial work already identifying mineralisation at both Siona and the recently identified Salusa Prospect.
With a systematic exploration approach built on detailed geological understanding, Yandal Resources is well-positioned to target and potentially identify similar and possibly larger opportunities across the New England Granite.
Why Investors Should Follow Yandal Resources
Yandal Resources presents a compelling investment opportunity for several key reasons:
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Strategic Asset Control: The company controls the full extent of the newly defined 2km by 4km granodiorite host within the Yandal Greenstone Belt.
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Progressive Discovery Model: Initial success at Siona has been followed by identifying the Salusa Prospect, indicating the potential for multiple mineralised zones within the granite body.
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Systematic Exploration Approach: Diamond drilling has provided critical geological understanding, allowing for targeted exploration of the most prospective structural features.
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Strong Financial Position: The company maintains a strong cash position to fund extensive exploration programs throughout 2025.
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Prime Location: Operating in the prolific Yandal Greenstone Belt near major gold operations provides potential development pathways.
As Yandal Resources continues exploration across multiple fronts, investors should watch for results from the upcoming Caladan air-core program and subsequent drilling at the New England Granite target area, particularly at the recently identified Salusa Prospect.
Want to Tap Into Yandal Resources' Golden Potential?
Discover how you can be part of Yandal's exciting journey as they continue to unlock the significant potential of the New England Granite gold system. With strategic control of the entire 2km by 4km granodiorite body and a systematic exploration approach yielding promising results, Yandal Resources offers a compelling opportunity in one of Australia's premier gold regions. For comprehensive investor information, detailed project updates and to stay informed about their upcoming exploration programmes, visit Yandal's Investor Hub today.
