Hawk Resources Unveils 1.1km Gold Anomaly at Historic Cactus Mine
Hawk Resources has identified a significant 1.1-kilometre gold soil anomaly extending from the historic Cactus copper-gold mine in Utah, with assays up to 1.24g/t. This discovery, supported by strong multi-element associations, sets the stage for a targeted drilling campaign later this year.
- 1.1km gold soil anomaly extending southeast from Cactus mine
- Gold assays up to 1.24g/t, 200 times background levels at Cactus
- Strong correlation of gold with silver, antimony, and arsenic
- Gold mineralisation likely distinct from copper event
- Plans for further soil analysis and drilling in Q3 2025
A New Gold Chapter at Cactus
Hawk Resources Limited (ASX, HWK) has announced a compelling development at its Cactus project in Utah, USA, revealing a +1.1 kilometre gold anomaly in soil samples that extends southeast from the historic Cactus copper-gold mine. This is the first time gold has been systematically analysed in soils across this area, with assays reaching as high as 1.24 grams per tonne (g/t), a striking 200-fold increase over background levels.
Multi-Element Clues to Mineralisation
The gold anomaly is not an isolated signal; it is strongly associated with silver, antimony, and arsenic, elements that often act as pathfinders in gold exploration. The correlation coefficients between gold and these elements hover around 0.96 to 0.97, indicating a very close geochemical relationship. Interestingly, the gold mineralisation appears to be a separate event from the copper mineralisation historically mined at Cactus, as evidenced by a moderate correlation between gold and copper (0.50) and weaker correlations between copper and the other elements.
Historical Data Supports New Findings
Historical drill holes and rock samples from the nearby Comet mine, part of the same structural trend, show encouraging gold grades, including intercepts like 25.9 metres at 1.53 g/t gold from surface. These historical results, combined with the new soil data, suggest a structurally controlled gold system extending over a significant strike length. The anomaly remains open to the northwest, hinting at further potential beyond the current sampling grid.
Verification and Next Steps
Hawk has validated its previous portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) copper assays with laboratory ICP-MS analyses, confirming the reliability of its soil geochemistry data. The company plans to expand its soil sampling analysis focusing on silver, antimony, and arsenic anomalies to better delineate gold targets. Crucially, Hawk aims to design and secure permits for a drilling program in the third quarter of 2025 to test these promising geochemical and geophysical targets.
Strategic Implications
This discovery adds a new dimension to Hawk Resources’ portfolio, which already includes copper and lithium projects. The identification of a distinct gold mineralising event within a historically copper-focused district could enhance the project’s value and attract further investor interest. However, the true economic potential remains to be confirmed through drilling and resource definition.
Bottom Line?
Hawk’s discovery of a significant gold anomaly at Cactus sets the stage for a pivotal drilling campaign that could redefine the project’s future.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming drilling confirm continuity and economic grades of the gold mineralisation?
- How might the separate gold and copper mineralising events influence future exploration strategies?
- What are the timelines and regulatory hurdles for Hawk’s planned drilling program?
