Taruga’s Gascoyne Expansion Faces Challenge of Verifying Old Data

Strategic Expansion in a Historically Rich Region

Taruga Minerals Limited (ASX, TAR) has taken a significant step forward in its exploration ambitions by securing three contiguous exploration permits in the northern Gascoyne province of Western Australia. Covering a combined area of 385 square kilometres, these permits encompass several historically mined sites known for exceptionally high grades of base and precious metals, including copper, lead, silver, and gold.

Despite the promising historical records, these areas have seen little to no modern exploration, particularly drilling, since the mid-20th century. This lack of recent activity presents Taruga with a unique opportunity to apply contemporary exploration techniques to potentially unlock new mineral resources.

Historical Workings Highlight Untapped Potential

The permits include the Uaroo West project, where copper was mined from an outcropping hydrothermal vein at an average grade of 26% copper in 1964. The Uaroo East project contains two historic mining sites, Uaroo-Hill and Donelly-Kooline, which produced lead concentrates with grades exceeding 50% lead and significant silver content, alongside reported gold and copper presence.

Additionally, the Moodong Well area within the Uaroo East permit features historic copper workings and outcropping pegmatites that may hold potential for lithium and rare earth elements (REE), commodities increasingly critical to modern technologies.

Favourable Geology and Structural Setting

The geological framework of the permits is compelling. The areas lie within the Leake Springs Metamorphics and Wyloo Group sedimentary rocks, intruded by the Moorarie Supersuite granites and crosscut by north-south trending mafic dykes. Major structures such as the Uaroo and Goordeman Faults traverse the permits, providing potential conduits and traps for mineralising fluids.

These geological features align with polymetallic mineralisation styles, including hydrothermal vein and shear-hosted deposits, which have historically yielded high-grade mineralisation in the region.

Next Steps, Ground Truthing and Regional Exploration

Taruga plans to initiate a low-impact exploration program shortly, focusing on rock chip and soil sampling to validate historical data and refine target areas. This groundwork will be critical to confirming the locations and extents of the historical workings and assessing the broader mineral potential of the permits.

These new permits complement Taruga’s existing Thowagee Project, enabling a more integrated regional exploration strategy across the northern Gascoyne province. The company’s technical director, David Chapman, emphasised the significance of the high-grade historical data combined with favourable geology as a strong foundation for future exploration success.

While the historical data provides an encouraging starting point, it is important to note that these figures have not been verified under current reporting standards, and further work is required to confirm the mineralisation potential.