Galileo Mining Launches New Drilling at Norseman to Boost Palladium-Platinum Resources
Galileo Mining is set to begin a 5,000-metre aircore drilling campaign at its Norseman project, targeting high-grade palladium and platinum zones to expand its existing resource base.
- 5,000m aircore drilling scheduled to start within two weeks
- Targets follow-up on peak assays of 4.1 g/t palladium and 2.5 g/t platinum
- Aims to expand 1.27 million ounce palladium equivalent JORC resource
- Focus on Mission Sill prospect and Callisto deposit area
- Drilling results expected approximately seven weeks from commencement
Exploration Momentum Builds at Norseman
Galileo Mining Ltd (ASX, GAL) is gearing up to advance its exploration efforts at the Norseman project in Western Australia with a significant new drilling program targeting palladium and platinum. The upcoming 5,000-metre aircore drilling campaign is scheduled to commence within the next two weeks, aiming to follow up on encouraging high-grade assay results from earlier campaigns.
The Norseman project, wholly owned by Galileo, has already demonstrated strong potential for precious group elements (PGEs) with the discovery of the Callisto deposit in 2022. This deposit, containing an estimated 17.5 million tonnes with a combined palladium equivalent resource of 1.27 million ounces, marked a milestone as one of Australia’s few PGE deposits. The new drilling will focus on extending mineralisation at the Mission Sill prospect and other promising zones identified through recent shallow aircore drilling.
Targeting High-Grade Zones
Previous drilling campaigns revealed peak palladium assays of 4.11 grams per tonne and platinum assays of 2.47 grams per tonne over one metre intervals, notably in drill hole NAC617. This hole lies at the eastern edge of a drill line and remains open for further mineralisation, making it a prime target for expansion. Additional target zones along the 12-kilometre Mission Sill strike length have also been confirmed, with anomalous PGE values that warrant deeper investigation.
The planned drilling program is designed to delineate the extent of these anomalies before progressing to more detailed reverse circulation (RC) drilling. Galileo expects the aircore drilling to take approximately three weeks, with assay results anticipated about four weeks after completion, providing a timely update on the project's potential.
Strategic Positioning in Western Australia’s Goldfields
Located at the southern end of the prolific Goldfields mining region, the Norseman project benefits from established infrastructure and a mining-friendly jurisdiction. Galileo’s Managing Director, Brad Underwood, highlighted the company’s excitement about returning to drilling at Norseman, emphasizing the ambition to add to the existing PGE resources and unlock further value from this highly prospective ground.
Beyond Norseman, Galileo also holds interests in the Fraser Range region through a joint venture, targeting nickel-copper sulphide deposits. However, the immediate focus remains on capitalising on the promising palladium and platinum mineralisation at Norseman, which could position Galileo as a notable player in Australia’s emerging PGE sector.
Looking Ahead
With the drilling campaign imminent, market watchers will be keen to see how the new results shape the resource profile at Norseman. The combination of high-grade assays and a sizeable existing resource base sets the stage for potential resource growth, which could have meaningful implications for Galileo’s valuation and development trajectory.
Bottom Line?
As Galileo Mining embarks on this pivotal drilling phase, the Norseman project’s potential to reshape Australia’s PGE landscape is firmly in focus.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the new drilling confirm extensions to the high-grade palladium and platinum zones?
- How might updated assay results impact the current JORC resource estimate?
- What are the next steps for advancing the Norseman project toward development?
