Astute Metals Targets Six High-Grade Gold-Silver Zones in Nevada Drilling Push
Astute Metals NL has initiated an eight-hole drilling campaign at its Needles Gold-Silver Project in Nevada, targeting six promising epithermal gold-silver prospects with historical high-grade assays. The campaign aims to unlock new discoveries ahead of a maiden resource estimate planned for year-end.
- Eight-hole, 1,170m reverse circulation drilling underway at Needles Project
- Six priority high-grade gold-silver targets including Eastern Shaft and Arrowhead Mine
- Historical rock chip samples show grades up to 33g/t gold and 622g/t silver
- Drilling expected to complete within two weeks before moving to lithium project
- Assay results anticipated in 5-7 weeks, supported by ongoing soil sampling and airborne survey
Drilling Commences at Needles Gold-Silver Project
Astute Metals NL (ASX – ASE) has commenced a focused reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at its Needles Gold-Silver Project in Nevada, USA. The eight-hole, 1,170-metre campaign targets six high-priority epithermal gold-silver prospects, aiming to test underexplored zones with compelling historical assay results. The drilling is being conducted by Major Drilling Group International Inc., a globally experienced contractor, underscoring the company’s commitment to advancing this richly endowed mining district.
Targets with Historical High-Grade Potential
The Needles Project hosts numerous historical workings dating back to the early 1900s, including the Arrowhead Mine, which features a 107-metre deep shaft with multiple levels. Rock chip sampling near the Eastern Shaft has returned gold grades as high as 33 grams per tonne (g/t) and silver up to 622 g/t. Other targets such as Tomahawk and Arrowhead East show similarly encouraging grades, with assays up to 5.54 g/t gold and 406 g/t silver, and strong pathfinder element anomalies like arsenic and antimony that often signal proximity to mineralisation.
Strategic Exploration and Next Steps
Despite previous shallow drilling and sampling campaigns by various explorers, the Needles Project remains largely underexplored at depth. Astute Metals’ current program is designed to test these deeper, untested zones that geological and geochemical data suggest are highly prospective. The company expects to complete drilling within two weeks, after which the rig will be redeployed to its Red Mountain Lithium Project to support a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate by the end of 2025.
Assay results from the Needles drilling are anticipated within 5 to 7 weeks. Complementary exploration activities, including systematic soil sampling and a helicopter-borne magnetic-radiometric survey scheduled for October, will further refine target identification and guide future drilling phases.
Market Timing and Company Outlook
Chairman Tony Leibowitz highlighted the timing of this drilling campaign as particularly favourable, coinciding with the company’s imminent name change and a buoyant gold sector. The project’s geological similarities to major Nevada gold operations such as the Round Mountain mine add to its appeal. Astute Metals is positioning itself to capitalise on these opportunities, with a clear pathway toward resource definition and potential discovery growth.
Bottom Line?
Astute Metals’ drilling at Needles marks a pivotal step toward unlocking high-grade gold-silver resources in Nevada, with market eyes now on upcoming assay results and resource milestones.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the drilling confirm extensions of high-grade mineralisation at depth?
- How will assay results influence the company’s exploration strategy and capital allocation?
- What potential does the Red Mountain Lithium Project hold as the next focus after Needles?
