West Tanami Exploration Heats Up: Can Early Spending Translate to Gold Hits?

Exploration Momentum Builds at West Tanami

Killi Resources Limited has provided a significant update on its West Tanami Project in Western Australia, where exploration activities are being driven by Gold Fields Limited under a joint venture agreement. Gold Fields, which has the option to earn an 85% interest by investing $13 million over five years, has already exceeded the initial $2 million expenditure milestone well ahead of schedule. This early commitment underscores the confidence in the project's potential within the prolific Tanami gold belt.

Since commencing active exploration in November 2024, Gold Fields has undertaken a comprehensive airborne gravity survey covering 1,600 square kilometres. The high-resolution data from this survey has highlighted several promising areas that align with historical exploration results, setting the stage for more targeted investigations.

Next Phase – Electromagnetic Surveys and Soil Sampling

Building on the gravity survey findings, Gold Fields plans to launch an aerial electromagnetic (AEM) survey in August 2025. This technique will map subsurface conductivity variations, potentially revealing sulphide mineralisation or alteration zones indicative of gold deposits. Concurrently, a large-scale soil sampling program is scheduled to begin, encompassing approximately 2,500 sample sites spaced regionally at 1,200 metres, with denser sampling in priority areas.

The soil sampling, supported by helicopter logistics, aims to generate a detailed geochemical dataset by early October 2025. Assay results and interpretations are expected in the first quarter of 2026, which will inform the identification of drill targets for subsequent field seasons. Killi’s CEO Brett Smith highlighted the quality of the foundational data being developed and expressed optimism about the project’s prospects based on Gold Fields’ proactive approach.

Strategic Positioning and Broader Portfolio

The West Tanami Project spans a significant 1,600 square kilometres along the Tanami Geological Belt, a region known for its rich gold endowment, including the nearby 14-million-ounce Callie Gold Mine. Despite the belt’s extensive mineralisation, the Western Australian portion remains relatively underexplored compared to the Northern Territory side, presenting a compelling opportunity.

Beyond West Tanami, Killi Resources continues to advance exploration at its Queensland projects, Mt Rawdon West and Ravenswood, as well as retaining copper rights at the Balfour Project in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. These assets collectively position Killi as a methodical explorer focused on unlocking value in underexplored mineral provinces.

With Gold Fields’ accelerated expenditure and systematic exploration underway, the West Tanami Project is poised to deliver critical insights in the coming months that could shape the next phase of drilling and resource evaluation.