Historic Assays Add 25% More Data to Neometals’ Ironclad Deposit
Neometals has integrated previously unreported historic drill assays into its Barrambie Gold Project dataset, enhancing the Ironclad deposit’s exploration profile and paving the way for upcoming drilling campaigns.
- Historic assay data for 61 drill holes added to Ironclad deposit dataset
- Dataset increase of approximately 25%, enriching resource modelling
- Multiple high-grade gold intercepts identified in historic data
- December quarter drilling planned at Barrambie Ranges and Mystery mine
- Caution advised due to unverified nature of historic data
Historic Data Revitalises Ironclad Exploration
Neometals Ltd (ASX, NMT) has announced a significant update to its Barrambie Gold Project in Western Australia, revealing the addition of previously unreported historic drill assay data for 61 reverse circulation holes at the Ironclad deposit. This substantial data infusion represents a 25% increase in the number of holes and assays, providing a richer geological picture that will inform future Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) updates and guide ongoing exploration efforts.
High-Grade Intercepts Highlight Potential
The historic assays include several notable gold intercepts, such as 3 metres at 95.7 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 20 metres depth and 17 metres at 6.5 g/t gold from 23 metres, underscoring the high-grade nature of mineralisation within the Ironclad deposit. These results, sourced from internal company archives dating back to the late 1980s, complement Neometals’ recent drilling campaigns and support the deposit’s advancement towards production.
Strategic Exploration Plans for 2025
Looking ahead, Neometals plans to commence reverse circulation drilling in the December quarter, targeting the historic high-grade Barrambie Ranges mine and the Mystery mine, alongside continued infill and extension drilling at Ironclad. Managing Director Chris Reed emphasised the importance of the historic data in accelerating the project’s development, noting that the upcoming drilling programs are integral to unlocking the broader potential of the Barrambie Gold Project.
Context Within Barrambie’s Rich Geological Setting
The Barrambie Project, spanning 505 square kilometres, sits within the Barrambie Greenstone Belt, a region known for its high-grade gold and titanium mineralisation. While titanium remains a key asset for Neometals, the renewed focus on gold exploration marks a strategic pivot to leverage the project’s multi-commodity potential. The historic mines within the belt have produced gold at an average grade of 24.8 g/t, and Neometals’ recent exploration target estimates suggest the potential for hundreds of thousands of ounces of gold.
Cautious Optimism Amid Historic Data Limitations
Despite the promising nature of the historic data, Neometals and its Competent Person caution that the assays have not been independently verified and may not fully comply with current JORC reporting standards. Some gaps remain in the documentation of sampling and assay protocols, necessitating careful interpretation when incorporating this data into resource models. Nonetheless, Neometals’ recent drilling efforts aim to validate and build upon these historic results.
Bottom Line?
Neometals’ integration of historic drill data injects fresh momentum into Barrambie’s gold exploration, setting the stage for critical drilling milestones ahead.
Questions in the middle?
- How will Neometals reconcile historic data uncertainties with modern JORC standards in upcoming resource updates?
- What impact will the December quarter drilling results have on the overall Barrambie gold resource potential?
- Could the renewed focus on gold exploration shift Neometals’ strategic priorities away from titanium and vanadium assets?
