Nexus Minerals Ltd (ASX:NXM) has finished its first reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the Payns Prospect within the Wallbrook Gold Project in Western Australia. The program which was initially planned at 4,032 metres, was expanded by 25% following encouraging geological observations. Ultimately, it came to 5,172 metres across 46 drill holes. Assay results from the four metre composite samples are expected by late July 2025.
Approximately 140 kilometres northeast of Kalgoorlie, the Payns Prospect has yielded significant anomalous gold results in previous aircore drilling campaigns, with standout intersections such as 4 metres at 7.12 grams per tonne (g/t) gold.
- 4m @ 7.12g/t Au (within 20m @ 1.77g/t Au) from 8 metres
- 4m @ 6.85g/t Au (within 16m @ 2.74g/t Au) from 28 metres
- 4m @ 6.59g/t Au (within 8m @ 3.44g/t Au) from 40 metres
- 4m @ 5.02g/t Au (within 8m @ 2.60g/t Au) from 20 metres
- 4m @ 4.39 g/t Au (within 8m @ 2.72 g/t Au) from 24 metres
- 4m @ 3.82 g/t Au (within 8m @ 2.73 g/t Au) from 32 metres
- 4m @ 3.58 g/t Au (within 12m @ 1.31 g/t Au) from 20 metres
The RC campaign aims to validate mineralised trends and better define the geometry and continuity of the gold zones.
Nexus Wallbrook Regional Prospects Location Map.
“It has been great to see the first RC drilling program successfully completed at Payns Prospect. This program has been meticulously managed by the exploration team, building information around geology and mineralisation at Payns. Initial observations were sufficiently encouraging to justify a 25% expansion of the program to target prospective geology,” Nexus managing director Andy Tudor said.
“This RC program continues our systematic exploration approach focused on efficient discovery of near-surface gold mineralisation. We look forward to receiving results in July.”
RC drilling program overview
The Payns RC program focused on a 900 by 750 metre anomalous zone situated near Nexus Minerals’ Crusader-Templar resource (304,000 ounces of gold) and within proximity to Northern Star Resources' Porphyry and Million Dollar Mines.
Drilling followed up on high-grade aircore results, which included multiple intercepts grading above 4 g/t gold. Four metre composite samples were collected throughout the program and have been submitted for gold assay.
Payns Prospect – Selected AC Drill Results (RC program assays pending).
Payns Prospect Completed RC Drillholes (assays pending).
One metre split samples from mineralised zones will be analysed. In addition, selected multi-element geochemical analysis will assist in refining geological interpretations and vectoring future drill targets.
Strategic exploration approach
Drilling employed a phased strategy comprising wide-spaced fence lines, targeted infill holes, and scissor holes to map lithology, grade distribution and structural controls.
The drill fences were oriented westward, testing to a vertical depth of approximately 120 metres.
Infill drilling aimed to resolve continuity within known mineralised trends, while the program extension added 14 RC holes (1,140 metres) in zones of strong geological interest. These activities are aligned with Nexus’s strategy to build a robust near-surface resource base.
Project context and next steps
The Wallbrook Gold Project lies immediately north of Northern Star’s Carosue Dam operations and incorporates prospective tenements consolidated by Nexus.
In addition to gold prospects in Western Australia, the company has expanded its portfolio to include 7,500 square kilometres of tenure across New South Wales and Victoria, targeting gold, copper and critical minerals. Nexus is continuing to apply refined exploration techniques across its holdings, with Payns representing a priority target within a highly endowed region.
Assay results from the current RC program are expected by the end of July 2025, which will inform the next phase of exploration and potential resource delineation at Payns.