Hyden Project Drilling Approved: Forrestania Plans Up to 15,000 Metres
Forrestania Resources is set to begin a two-phase drilling program at its Hyden Project following regulatory approval and the settlement of legal disputes over tenements.
- Phase 1 step-out drilling approved and contractors secured
- Phase 2 resource definition drilling planned for up to 13,500 metres
- Plaints against Hyden Project tenements settled and withdrawn
- Focus on expanding gold mineralisation at Lady Ada and Lady Magdalene deposits
- Part of Forrestania’s strategy to consolidate Southern Cross gold assets
Regulatory Green Light and Legal Clearance
Forrestania Resources Limited (ASX – FRS) has announced the imminent start of drilling activities at its Hyden Project, a significant step forward after securing approval from the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration (DMPE). The company also resolved outstanding plaints lodged by West Australian Prospectors Pty Ltd against the project’s tenements, removing a key legal obstacle that had cast uncertainty over the asset.
Two-Phase Drilling Strategy
The drilling program is structured in two phases. Phase 1 involves approximately 1,500 metres of step-out drilling targeting the Lada Ada and Lady Magdalene deposits. These deposits form part of a single gold system characterised by sheeted narrow vein shear-hosted lodes within quartz dolerite. The goal is to test open areas of mineralisation down dip and adjacent zones to validate geological models before committing to more extensive drilling.
Phase 2, contingent on Phase 1 results, is planned to encompass up to 13,500 metres of resource definition drilling. This phase aims to infill and expand the resource base, potentially unlocking significant value by delineating additional gold mineralisation within the shear system.
Strategic Importance in Southern Cross Region
Chairman David Geraghty emphasised that the Hyden Project fits squarely within Forrestania’s broader strategy to consolidate high-quality gold assets in the Southern Cross region. The project’s proximity to established mines and its promising geological characteristics make it a compelling target for resource growth. The removal of legal uncertainties and the securing of drill contractors mark important milestones in advancing the project toward potential development.
Geological Context and Exploration Potential
The Lady Ada and Lady Magdalene deposits extend over a 1,500-metre strike length within a shear system approximately 125 metres wide. Mineralisation occurs in multiple lodes that lens in and out, with the highest-grade zones concentrated in specific hanging wall and footwall lodes. Previous drilling has left several areas open, particularly down dip, presenting attractive targets for expansion. Forrestania’s methodical approach to step-out and infill drilling aims to clarify the extent and grade continuity of these gold-bearing structures.
Outlook and Next Steps
With Phase 1 drilling set to commence imminently, market participants will be watching closely for assay results that could validate the company’s geological assumptions and justify the larger Phase 2 program. The confidential settlement of plaints removes a significant overhang, potentially improving investor sentiment. However, the success of the drilling campaign remains the critical factor in determining the project’s future trajectory.
Bottom Line?
Forrestania’s Hyden Project moves from legal uncertainty to active exploration, setting the stage for a pivotal drilling campaign.
Questions in the middle?
- What initial assay results will Phase 1 drilling yield, and how will they influence Phase 2 plans?
- What were the terms and implications of the confidential settlement of plaints against the tenements?
- How does the Hyden Project’s potential resource expansion compare to Forrestania’s existing Southern Cross assets?
