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- Augustus Minerals (AUG) will kick off maiden drilling this month at its Gascoyne acreage in Western Australia
- The company completed an AHS with the Yinggarda, Baiyungu and Thalanyji combined claimant group
- AUG’s tenement package covers more than 3500 square kilometres
- The combined claimant group speaks for approximately 70 per cent of AUG’s landholding
- An additional AHS is scheduled for October
- AUG shares last traded at 19 cents
Augustus Minerals (AUG) is poised to proceed with maiden drilling in key target areas across its Gascoyne acreage in Western Australia.
This development follows the successful completion of an Aboriginal Heritage Survey (AHS) in collaboration with the Yinggarda, Baiyungu and Thalanyji combined claimant group.
Augustus confirmed the combined claimant group collectively represents approximately 70 per cent of the company’s 3600-square-kilometre landholding.
Of primary interest to Augustus geotechs are the following targets: Minni Springs, Copper Ridge, Nick’s Bore, Crawford, Crawford South, and COO Creek.
Drilling is scheduled to commence in September, with additional AHS activities planned for October.
The company highlighted its interest in the Crawford prospect, which it believes harbours extensive copper and gold anomalies at the surface, indicating the potential presence of larger mineralisation systems.
Another copper anomaly at Minnie Springs, situated adjacent to a fault line, is on the radar. Such fault lines are typically the initial focus of drillers due to their higher likelihood of containing commercial-scale deposits over geological time.
Before proceeding, Augustus must oversee the establishment of a drill pad by contractors, a process set to commence this week.
All areas cleared through the heritage assessment will undergo systematic drilling throughout the upcoming months, extending into the summer.
Concurrently, field mapping and rock chip sampling will continue.
“Getting heritage clearance is a huge step forward and a legal requirement before conducting any ground-disturbing activities,” AUG Managing Director Andrew Reid said.
“Augustus Minerals committed to drilling activities inside Q3 of 2023, and we are pleased to be able to get on the ground now and start drill testing our high-priority targets over the coming months.”
Mr Reid, who attended Diggers & Dealers this year, immediately returned to the site following his interview with The Market Herald.
AUG shares last traded at 19 cents.
