Augustus drill bit set to chase 30g/t WA gold target
Augustus Minerals plans to drill a promising gold target at St Patrick’s Well, following surface samples that reached 30.4g/t. The company’s recent RC drilling at Clifton East and upcoming work at St Patrick’s Well aim to confirm high‑grade intercepts and support a growing portfolio in Western Aust…
Augustus Minerals is preparing to deploy a drilling rig on a high‑grade gold target at its Music Well project, located near Leonora in Western Australia’s Eastern Goldfields. The prospect, known as St Patrick’s Well, has already produced surface samples with gold grades as high as 30.4 g t⁻¹, sparking excitement among investors and industry observers.
Background: The Music Well Project
The Music Well project covers a 1,242‑square‑kilometre area within the prolific Leonora‑Laverton Greenstone Belt. The belt is known for more than 28 million ounces of gold, and the site sits just 30 km north of the town of Leonora. Augustus has positioned the project among a cluster of operating mines, including Northern Star’s Darlot and Thunderbox operations, and Genesis Minerals’ King of the Hills and Leonora gold camps.
Earlier drilling at the project’s Clifton East prospect yielded solid results, such as an 11‑metre intercept at 2.41 g t⁻¹ and a 34‑metre intercept at 0.83 g t⁻¹. These findings were based on reverse circulation (RC) holes that aimed to “scissor” the mineralisation, a technique that helps clarify complex geological structures by intersecting the target from multiple angles.
St Patrick’s Well: A High‑Grade Opportunity
St Patrick’s Well sits 11.3 km west of Clifton East, adjacent to the same major shear zone that hosts the Clifton East mineralisation and the historic 115,000‑ounce Celtic gold mine. The site was initially highlighted by rock‑chip samples that recorded 30.4, 20.4, and 21.7 g t⁻¹ across a 600‑metre strike zone.
Augustus plans an initial five‑hole RC program to test these surface results. The company’s general manager of exploration, Andrew Ford, noted that the area has been affected by heavy rainfall—120 mm between early August and early September—which has saturated creeks and drainage channels, delaying access for trucks and rigs.
Recent Drilling Activity and Upcoming Work
Three RC holes, totaling 486 m, have already been completed at Clifton East. Samples are en route to a laboratory in Kalgoorlie, with assay results expected in mid‑ to late October. The company anticipates restarting drilling once ground conditions improve, with a site inspection slated for next week.
After finishing the final hole at Clifton East, the rig will move to St Patrick’s Well. The goal is to confirm whether the surface high grades translate into deeper, economically viable intercepts. If successful, the results could position Augustus as a key player in the district, especially as the Leonora‑Laverton area experiences a wave of corporate consolidation.
Industry Context and Strategic Implications
The region is currently in the midst of a consolidation frenzy, highlighted by Genesis Minerals’ proposed A$12.6 billion merger with Vault Minerals. Genesis aims to become a dominant Western Australian gold producer, and its interest in third‑party ore could bring attention to nearby explorers like Augustus.
Gold Fields’ subsidiary, G Ex Australia, recently became a 5.33 % shareholder in Augustus following a May placement, giving the global miner a potential foothold in the Leonora‑Laverton belt. Augustus also owns the 840‑square‑kilometre Ti‑Tree project in the Gascoyne region, which is prospective for copper, gold, lithium, and rare earths, and is exploring opportunities in Papua New Guinea.
What Happens Next?
With a pipeline of assays on the way from both RC and diamond drilling, Augustus is poised to deliver new data that could confirm high‑grade gold at depth. The company’s next steps include re‑commencing drilling at Clifton East, moving the rig to St Patrick’s Well, and interpreting the forthcoming assay results. Investors and analysts will be watching closely to see whether the surface promise translates into a viable resource that could attract further investment or strategic partnerships.
For now, the focus remains on overcoming the wet conditions that have delayed access to the sites. Once the ground dries, Augustus will likely resume drilling and could provide a fresh wave of positive news for the Western Australian gold sector.
Why it matters
High‑grade gold discoveries can transform a junior exploration company into a major producer, attracting investment and potentially reshaping the regional mining landscape.
Key points
- St Patrick’s Well recorded surface grades up to 30.4 g t⁻¹
- Augustus plans a five‑hole RC program at the site
- Three RC holes at Clifton East are completed; assays due in Oct
- Heavy rainfall has delayed drilling access, but work will resume soon
- Genesis Minerals’ merger and Gold Fields’ stake increase regional interest
- Augustus also holds other multi‑metal projects in WA and PNG
Frequently asked questions
What is the significance of the 30.4 g t⁻¹ grade at St Patrick’s Well?
A grade of 30.4 g t⁻¹ is considered very high for gold, indicating the potential for economically viable ore at depth and making the site attractive to investors and larger mining companies.
How does the “scissoring” drilling technique help?
Scissoring involves drilling intersecting holes from different angles, which clarifies the geometry, structural controls, and true thickness of mineralised veins that a single‑orientation drill might miss.
What are the next steps for Augustus Minerals?
The company will finish the final RC hole at Clifton East, move the rig to St Patrick’s Well, and analyze assay results to confirm depth grades before deciding on further exploration.
