Augustus Minerals Leverages AI to Uncover 18 New Gold Targets at Music Well

AI-Driven Exploration Breakthrough

Augustus Minerals Limited (ASX: AUG) has announced a significant advancement in its exploration strategy at the Music Well gold project, located 35km north of Leonora in Western Australia. By partnering with SensOre, a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications for mineral exploration, Augustus has identified 18 new gold targets within its extensive 1,345km2 tenement package.

This innovative approach leverages a vast dataset comprising over 20,000 soil and rock chip samples alongside detailed aeromagnetic and gravity geophysical data. SensOre’s proprietary AI algorithms integrated these diverse datasets to generate predictive models that highlight areas with high potential for gold mineralisation, particularly beneath transported cover where traditional exploration methods have limited effectiveness.

Target Highlights and Geological Context

The standout among the newly identified targets is Target 1, located in the central north of the project area. This target extends over an 8-kilometre strike length and aligns with key geological structures known to host gold mineralisation. Other notable targets, such as Target 2, lie close to established mines like Northern Star’s Wonder Deeps and Vault Minerals’ Great Western, suggesting a compelling regional mineralisation trend.

Importantly, none of these targets have been subject to historic drilling, underscoring the underexplored nature of the Music Well project. The AI-driven targeting has effectively shifted focus from areas of exposed outcrop to covered regions, which may conceal significant gold deposits.

Strategic Implications and Next Steps

Augustus Minerals’ Executive Chairman Brian Rodan and GM Exploration Andrew Ford have expressed confidence in the robustness of the AI targeting process. Ford noted that the technology has enabled rapid prioritisation of multiple targets by identifying specific geophysical and geochemical signatures associated with gold mineralisation.

The company plans to commence geological mapping and sampling over these targets imminently, with results from a recent rock chip sampling program expected shortly. These activities will be critical in validating the AI-generated targets and guiding subsequent drilling campaigns.

Situated within the prolific Leonora-Laverton Greenstone Belt, which hosts over 28 million ounces of gold, the Music Well project benefits from proximity to several operating mines. The application of cutting-edge AI technology positions Augustus Minerals to potentially unlock new discoveries in this highly prospective region.