Sipa Submits PEPR, Plans Drilling Near 1.6Moz Tunkillia Gold Deposit

Heritage and Regulatory Milestones Achieved

Sipa Resources Limited (ASX: SRI) has reached important preparatory milestones for its maiden drilling programs at its 100%-owned South Australian gold projects, located within the prolific Gawler Craton. The company recently completed an on-ground heritage clearance survey in collaboration with the Gawler Ranges Aboriginal Corporation, covering multiple prospective areas including Tunkillia North and Nuckulla Hill. The formal archaeologist's report is expected shortly, a critical step before drilling can commence.

In parallel, Sipa submitted its Program for Environment Protection and Rehabilitation (PEPR) to the South Australian Department for Energy and Mining. Approval is anticipated in June, which would greenlight the planned reverse circulation (RC) and aircore drilling programs targeting gold mineralisation.

Targeting Gold Near a 1.6 Million Ounce Deposit

The upcoming drilling will focus on testing historically identified gold anomalism and mineralisation, as well as exploring new areas north and south of the significant 1.6 million ounce Tunkillia gold deposit. This deposit lies within the Yarlbrinda shear zone, a highly prospective structural corridor known for hosting lode-style gold mineralisation.

Sipa’s Managing Director Andrew Muir highlighted the excitement around the maiden drilling, noting that the programs will follow up on promising surface anomalies and extend exploration into underexplored zones. The company is also leveraging extensive historical data, including calcrete sampling and geophysical surveys, to refine drill targets and enhance the chances of discovery.

Reprocessing Historical Data to Unlock New Insights

One of the key aspects of Sipa’s strategy is the reprocessing of historical geophysical surveys and calcrete sampling data, particularly at the Nuckulla Hill project. These efforts aim to better understand the underlying geological structures and improve targeting precision. The historical data compilation, verified to industry standards, provides a solid foundation for exploration planning and highlights multiple prospects such as Sheoak, Bimba, and Myall within the Yarlbrinda shear zone corridor.

Despite extensive surface sampling, drilling beyond the immediate vicinity of the Tunkillia deposit has been limited, leaving significant exploration upside. Sipa’s approach to integrate legacy data with new field programs could accelerate the identification of economically viable gold mineralisation.

Looking Ahead

With heritage and environmental approvals progressing well, Sipa is poised to commence its maiden drilling programs in the coming weeks. These initial drill campaigns will be closely watched by investors and analysts eager to see if the historical anomalies translate into meaningful gold discoveries. Success here could significantly enhance the value of Sipa’s South Australian portfolio and position the company as a notable player in the region’s gold exploration landscape.