Nexus Minerals Ltd (ASX:NXM) has unveiled promising results from its first reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the Payns Prospect within the Wallbrook Gold Project in Western Australia, revealing significant gold mineralisation across a 900-by-750-metre footprint.
The 5,172-metre program, consisting of 46 drill holes, has confirmed a broad mineralised system, with standout intersections including up to 7.99 g/t gold (Au) over 8 metres. The results further build on earlier findings from aircore (AC) drilling, which indicated a large-scale gold system at Payns.
The RC drilling program confirmed the extent of gold mineralisation and demonstrated strong continuity across the prospect, with 45 of 46 drill holes intersecting gold — setting the stage for ongoing exploration aimed at expanding the high-grade zones and refining the geological model.
Encouraging assay results from RC drilling
The initial 4-metre composite assay results highlight substantial gold mineralisation, with notable intersections including:
- 8 metres @ 7.99 g/t Au (within 24 metres @ 2.80 g/t Au) from 40 metres
- 8 metres @ 2.85 g/t Au (within 16 metres @ 1.55 g/t Au) from 36 metres
- 4 metres @ 3.07 g/t Au (within 12 metres @ 1.25 g/t Au) from 36 metres
- 4 metres @ 4.24 g/t Au from 56 metres
- 8 metres @ 1.32 g/t Au (within 16 metres @ 0.86 g/t Au) from 72 metres
These results build on earlier aircore drilling findings, which included intercepts such as 4 metres @ 7.12 g/t Au and 4 metres @ 6.85 g/t Au, further demonstrating the emerging gold potential at Payns.
Payns Prospect – Selected Drill Results (yellow labels new 4m composite RC intercepts, white labels previous AC results).
Strong continuity and growing potential
The RC drilling program successfully assessed the continuity, geometry, and tenor of the mineralised zones, confirming that the system displays strong spatial continuity. Notably, 45 of the 46 drill holes intersected gold mineralisation, reinforcing the potential for high-grade zones within the broader system.
The results also suggest the mineralised zone remains open along strike to the north and south and down plunge, providing opportunities for continued exploration.
Payns Prospect completed RC drillholes.
“Payns Prospect has continued to deliver with some exceptional results from the recently completed RC drilling,” said Nexus managing director Andy Tudor.
“Especially encouraging is the high-grade gold component to the mineralised system,” he added. “As this represents the first RC program to be completed at Payns, the exploration team remain busy interpreting new information, which will include 1-metre split samples once received.”
Future exploration plans
The company is now concentrating on refining its geological model at Payns, with results from the 1-metre split samples expected by the end of August, offering further clarity on the high-grade gold core within the mineralised system. This data will be critical in guiding the next phase of exploration and potential resource expansion.
Additionally, Nexus plans further drilling to expand and delineate the mineralised zones, including both infill drilling and targeted extensions to the north, south, and down plunge. This work is aligned with the company’s strategy to efficiently build its near-surface gold resource base.
“Given the collective AC and now RC composite results, we remain confident that the prospect will continue to build, making a worthy addition to the Wallbrook project with potential to add to the project’s gold resources,” Tudor said. “The RC program has continued our systematic exploration approach focused on efficient discovery of near-surface gold mineralisation.”
Exploring the Eastern Goldfields
Nexus Minerals is actively exploring for gold deposits in Western Australia’s highly prospective Eastern Goldfields. The company’s Wallbrook Gold Project consolidates a significant tenement package within a major regional structural corridor, which includes proximity to Northern Star’s Carosue Dam mining operations. Nexus is also expanding its portfolio to include new projects in New South Wales and Victoria, focusing on gold, copper, and critical minerals exploration.
Nexus Wallbrook Gold Project location map.
The company continues to invest in innovative exploration techniques to refine its targeting approach and advance its gold discovery efforts at its future and current tenements, including the Wallbrook Gold Project.
“We look forward to receiving the 1-metre results in August, and a continuation of exploration drilling shortly thereafter,” Tudor concluded.