Stawell’s gold lures more exploration

Anew exploration arm of Stawell Gold Mines has started a fresh search for gold in an area stretching from Stawell to Maroona.

South Stawell Gold has launched its maiden probe for gold in ‘Exploration Licence 7116’.

Stawell Gold Mines has established South Stawell Gold, SSG, to search for new gold mineralisation in the southern areas of the ‘Stawell Zone’ – a geological feature running from the NSW border to Victoria’s south-west.

Stawell South Gold exploration manager Bill Reid said there were plans to investigate a dozen targets of significant interest in the exploration area.

“Following the completion of desktop studies, we’ll conduct soil sampling to make sure we’re in the right areas,” he said.

“Successful results from soil sampling might lead to air-core drilling work on some properties to the south and east of the current Stawell Gold Mines’ operation.”

Exploration Licence 7116 covers an expansive area including Black Range State Reserve, Great Western and from Maroona to north of Concongella.

Mr Reid said the company was also interested in carrying out exploration activities on properties in Rhymney district in coming weeks.

He said Stawell South Gold geologists had, with municipal permission, started collecting soil samples from roadsides in initial target areas.

“We take a small amount of soil from the ground in areas that might include gold mineralisation,” he said.

“The samples are then analysed back on site using an x-ray machine to tell us what elements are in the ground.”

Mr Reid said Stawell South Gold’s community engagement team was reaching out to property owners in target areas to discuss land access.

“As part of this process, they work with landholders to agree on a schedule of work that allows geologists to carry out activities on the property with minimal disruption,” he said.

Mr Reid said people could follow SSG’S exploration progress on Facebook at @southstawellgold.

He said other exploration licences SSG would explore included EL7610, EL7547, EL7549 and EL7479.

Maps are on the Earth Resources website, earthresources.vic.gov.au under ‘Licences Near Me’.

The South Stawell Gold announcement comes in the wake of the State Government announcing a search-area expansion of Victoria’s Stavely Arc geological zone.

Stavely Arc runs north-south from Mildura to Terang.