Golden Horse Strikes 61m at 2.5 g/t Gold in Hopes Hill Phase 1 Drilling

Phase 1 Drilling Delivers Promising Gold Intercepts

Golden Horse Minerals Limited (ASX: GHM) has revealed compelling assay results from the initial four holes of its Phase 1 drilling program at the Hopes Hill gold project near Southern Cross. The standout intercept is a broad 61 metres grading 2.5 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, commencing at 91 metres down hole in drill hole GHHHRC0001. This interval notably includes multiple higher-grade zones, such as 8 metres at 9.2 g/t Au and 3 metres at 9.1 g/t Au, underscoring the potential richness of the mineralised system.

Another significant intercept from hole GHHHRC0004 returned 29 metres at 1.3 g/t Au, with several sub-intervals exceeding 2 g/t Au. These results not only confirm the continuity of mineralisation beneath the historical open pit but also validate the company’s strategy to elevate Hopes Hill as its flagship project.

Context and Historical Validation

The Hopes Hill project was acquired from Emerald Resources NL in December 2024, forming part of a substantial 360 square kilometre tenement package. Historical drilling in the vicinity of the new intercepts showed similar wide and high-grade zones, such as 24 metres at 1.9 g/t Au and 14 metres at 2.8 g/t Au, lending confidence to the current exploration approach.

Golden Horse’s Managing Director, Nicholas Anderson, expressed optimism about the results, highlighting the rapid progress since the company’s ASX listing in December 2024. He emphasized that the initial drilling outcomes support further resource development and refinement of targeting strategies, particularly focusing on depth and down-plunge extensions of the mineralisation.

Technical Insights and Next Steps

The Phase 1 program comprises 22 holes totaling approximately 4,500 metres, with drilling designed to test both central and southern zones of mineralisation adjacent to the historical pit. The geological setting features sheared mafic and ultramafic rocks with significant quartz veining and sulphide alteration, typical of orogenic gold systems.

Assays for the remaining 54 metres of hole GHHHRC0004 are pending, and the company anticipates further results over the coming weeks. These will inform ongoing drilling plans aimed at validating historic data and expanding the known mineralised envelope.

Golden Horse also plans to leverage its extensive tenement holding of around 1,900 square kilometres to generate additional greenfields and brownfields targets, employing geophysical surveys, soil geochemistry, and geological interpretation to maximise exploration efficiency.

Market and Strategic Implications

These early results position Hopes Hill as a cornerstone asset for Golden Horse Minerals, potentially accelerating the company’s path toward resource definition and development. The combination of wide intercepts and high-grade zones could translate into a robust resource base, attracting investor interest and enhancing the company’s valuation.

However, the ultimate economic viability will depend on continued positive drilling outcomes, metallurgical characteristics, and successful resource modelling. The company’s transparent reporting and adherence to industry best practices, including JORC Code compliance and independent verification, add credibility to these promising findings.