Southern Cross Gold's Sunday Creek Project Sees Major Exploration Target Expansion

Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Ltd has announced a significant increase in its exploration target at the Sunday Creek Gold-Antimony Project in Victoria, Australia. The company has doubled its estimated range of potential mineralization, showcasing improved grades and a substantial increase in contained metal.

Key Takeaways

• The exploration target has increased to an estimated range of 8.1 to 9.6 million tonnes, with grades from 8.3 g/t to 10.6 g/t gold equivalent (AuEq).
• Total contained AuEq metal is now estimated between 2.2 million ounces and 3.2 million ounces.
• The project area has expanded to cover 67% of the 1.5 km main drill footprint, with ongoing drilling operations.

Exploration Target Expansion

The updated exploration target reflects a remarkable growth compared to the previous year. The tonnage has increased by up to 88%, while grades have improved by up to 15%. This expansion is attributed to:

• A 40% increase in drill holes.
• Nearly double the assay results.
• More than tripled density measurements.
• Deeper mineralization reaching 1,120 meters below the surface.

Drilling Operations

Currently, six active drill rigs are operating at the Sunday Creek site, with plans to add two more rigs in the coming months. This aggressive drilling strategy aims to accelerate exploration along the strike and at greater depths.

High-Grade Mineralization

The Sunday Creek project is recognized for its high-grade gold-antimony mineralization, which places it in the highest global quartile for potential margins. The project benefits from its location in a Tier 1 jurisdiction, featuring excellent infrastructure, including direct road access and nearby power sources.

Metallurgical Testing and Environmental Studies

Initial metallurgical testing has shown excellent recoveries of gold and antimony, ranging from 93% to 98%. Concurrently, environmental baseline studies are progressing alongside drilling activities, with the potential for regional exploration results to expand the overall resource footprint.

Future Outlook

The company’s President & CEO, Michael Hudson, emphasized the significance of this expansion, stating that the project continues to demonstrate its potential as one of the most significant high-grade gold-antimony discoveries in recent times. The strategic importance of antimony, especially in light of recent export restrictions from China, further enhances the project's value in the global market.

As Southern Cross Gold continues its exploration efforts, the Sunday Creek project is poised for further growth, with the potential to transition from an exploration target to a mineral resource estimate in the near future.

Sources

• Southern Cross Gold Doubles Exploration Target With Increasing Grade at Sunday Creek Gold-Antimony Project - Junior Mining Network, Junior Mining Network.