Wallbrook Gold Project Expansion Raises Questions on Resource Potential and Next Steps
Nexus Minerals has revealed a significant 1km southern extension to its Branches Prospect at the Wallbrook Gold Project, following a comprehensive 237-hole aircore drilling program. This discovery potentially doubles the known strike length of the mineralised system, underpinning an active exploration phase.
- 237-hole, 10,171m regional aircore drilling completed
- Branches Prospect extended by approximately 1km to over 2.1km strike length
- Notable gold intercepts include 4m at 2.48g/t Au from 20m
- Anomalous gold zones identified at MC4.3; MC5.4 discounted
- RC drilling underway at Payns Prospect to follow up aircore discoveries
Extending the Branches Prospect
Nexus Minerals Limited (ASX – NXM) has announced the receipt of all assay results from its recent regional aircore drilling campaign at the Wallbrook Gold Project in Western Australia's north-eastern goldfields. The program, comprising 237 drill holes totaling over 10,000 metres, targeted three regional prospects – MC1.4, MC4.3, and MC5.4.
Most notably, drilling at target MC1.4 has identified a substantial 1-kilometre southern extension to the Branches mineralised system. This effectively doubles the strike length of the Branches Prospect to more than 2.1 kilometres, a significant milestone for the project. The new intercepts include encouraging grades such as 4 metres at 2.48 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 20 metres depth, alongside other anomalous zones closer to surface.
Regional Targets and Exploration Strategy
The aircore program also explored targets MC4.3 and MC5.4. While MC4.3 returned multiple anomalous gold zones over an approximate 1-kilometre strike length, these results remain preliminary and will be further evaluated with upcoming multi-element geochemical data and field studies. In contrast, MC5.4 showed minimal mineralisation and has been discounted from future exploration efforts.
Nexus’s Managing Director, Andy Tudor, highlighted the systematic approach underpinning these results, emphasizing the importance of near-surface discoveries to build the project's gold resource portfolio efficiently. The company is currently progressing reverse circulation (RC) drilling at the Payns Prospect, a recent aircore discovery, aiming to expand on earlier successes and integrate findings from Branches into future drilling campaigns.
Geological Context and Technical Details
The MC1.4 target area is geologically significant, situated amid increased porphyry dyke activity and major structural features known to control gold mineralisation in the region, including proximity to the Crusader-Templar deposit. The drilling encountered variable weathering profiles and lithologies dominated by intermediate volcaniclastic and felsic volcanic rocks, with notable alteration and veining indicative of mineralising processes.
Samples were collected using industry-standard aircore drilling techniques, with composite 4-metre samples analysed via photon assay, a method well-suited to detecting coarse gold. The program’s rigorous quality control and data verification protocols ensure confidence in the reported results, although true widths of mineralisation remain to be determined.
Looking Ahead for Wallbrook
The extension of the Branches Prospect and the identification of multiple anomalous zones at MC4.3 reinforce the Wallbrook Gold Project’s potential as a significant gold exploration hub. With RC drilling underway at Payns and plans to incorporate Branches expansions into future campaigns, Nexus Minerals is positioning itself for a period of active growth and discovery.
While no Ore Reserves have yet been defined, these results provide a strong foundation for resource development and warrant close attention from investors and industry watchers alike.
Bottom Line?
Nexus Minerals’ expanding footprint at Wallbrook signals a promising exploration trajectory, with upcoming drilling campaigns poised to unlock further value.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the ongoing RC drilling at Payns Prospect influence the overall resource potential at Wallbrook?
- What insights will the forthcoming multi-element geochemical data provide for target MC4.3?
- When might Nexus Minerals update its resource estimates to reflect the Branches Prospect extension?
