Cyclone Delays Testing of Promising VHMS Targets at Great Western’s Oval Project
Great Western Exploration has identified two substantial conductors with strong potential for Volcanic Hosted Massive Sulphide (VHMS) mineralisation at its Oval Copper-Gold Target in Western Australia, setting the stage for imminent drilling campaigns.
- Two large, strong conductors detected via down-hole electromagnetic surveys
- Conductors interpreted as highly prospective for VHMS copper-gold mineralisation
- Pathfinder assays indicate proximity to a major mineral system despite no standout copper-gold grades
- Drilling planned to test conductors immediately after cyclone-related access delays
- Company holds a robust cash position of $4.7 million to fund exploration
Exploration Breakthrough at Oval
Great Western Exploration (ASX: GTE) has reported compelling geophysical and geochemical results from its Yerrida North Project’s Oval Copper-Gold Target in Western Australia. The company’s recent down-hole electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys have delineated two large, strong conductors beneath the first two diamond drill holes, with one conductor located just 50 metres below drill-hole 24GOVDD001.
These conductors exhibit geophysical signatures that experts interpret as highly prospective for massive sulphide accumulation, a hallmark of Volcanic Hosted Massive Sulphide (VHMS) systems. VHMS deposits are significant sources of copper and gold, and the Oval conductors bear resemblance to the nearby DeGrussa Copper-Gold Deposit, a world-class VHMS system in the adjacent Bryah Basin.
Assay Results and Geological Context
While the assay results from the initial drilling phase did not reveal standout copper or gold grades, pathfinder elements such as bismuth, arsenic, lead, and zinc were enriched across multiple horizons. This geochemical signature suggests the drill holes intersected zones proximal to a larger mineralisation system rather than the core mineralised zones themselves.
Geological analysis indicates the rocks belong to the Killara Formation, considered stratigraphically equivalent to the DeGrussa Formation. Alteration minerals and lithological textures observed in the drill core further support a VHMS mineralisation model. Notably, the conductors are situated along the crustal-scale Ida Fault, intersected by a basin-defining growth fault, a structural setting conducive to fluid flow and metal deposition.
Technical Validation and Expert Insights
Great Western engaged Newexco Exploration for geophysical modelling and Camp Oven Exploration’s Dr Carl Brauhart, an expert with experience on the DeGrussa deposit, for geochemical interpretation. Dr Brauhart’s litho-geochemical analysis confirmed a subduction-related volcanic setting and identified multiple sedimentary horizons enriched in VHMS pathfinder elements, consistent with a distal position from a black smoker vent system.
The DHEM conductors exhibit conductance values around 4,400 Siemens with long decay time constants, typical of massive sulphide bodies. Supplementary fixed-loop electromagnetic (FLEM) surveys refined the conductors’ positions and confirmed their relatively flat dip, enhancing confidence in their prospectivity.
Next Steps and Market Positioning
Great Western plans to resume drilling promptly once access is restored following recent cyclonic disruptions. The next phase will involve extending or wedging from drill-hole 24GOVDD001 to directly test the off-hole conductor. Additional drilling at nearby targets including Oval South, Sumo Niobium, and Juggernaut Copper-Gold is also anticipated.
Financially, the company is well-positioned with $4.7 million in cash as of December 2024, providing ample runway for its aggressive exploration agenda. The emerging data from Oval could mark a pivotal moment for Great Western, potentially unlocking a new VHMS copper-gold system in a highly prospective region.
Bottom Line?
Great Western’s identification of large VHMS conductors at Oval sets a promising stage, but upcoming drilling results will be critical to validate this potential.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the next drilling phase intersect economic copper-gold mineralisation within the modelled conductors?
- How might the structural complexity of the Ida Fault and growth fault influence mineralisation continuity?
- What are the implications of the pathfinder element distribution for the scale and grade of the potential VHMS system?
