High-grade gold anomaly extended at John Bull as Novo Resources prepares for RC drilling

Novo Resources Corp has significantly advanced exploration at its John Bull Gold Project in New South Wales, with mapping and geochemical work identifying high-priority drill targets within a structurally controlled intrusion-related gold system.

The company’s soil sampling extended the >100 parts per billion (ppb) gold anomaly to 1.5 kilometres of strike, with a peak soil result up to 1.59 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, while rock chip sampling returned grades as high as 67.9 g/t and 29 g/t gold from quartz vein systems. A 1,500-metre reverse circulation (RC) drilling program is expected to start in June 2025, subject to rig availability and final approvals.

“The recent exploration mapping and sampling campaign at John Bull has provided some exceptional drill targets, which we are excited to test through a ~1,500 m RC program in June,” Novo executive co-chairman and acting CEO Mike Spreadborough said.

“Sourcing drilling contractors is underway and governmental approvals for the drilling campaign are eagerly awaited. Detailed mapping has delineated a large gold system interpreted to be associated with a porphyry in the SW portion of the John Bull tenement.

“Future work will expand on mapping and sampling to allow targeting of the sheeted-vein system and porphyry-related mineral systems. We look forward to providing an update on the drilling commencement date in the next few weeks.”

Exploration campaign outcomes

The latest fieldwork included detailed mapping, soil sampling and rock chip collection, aimed at refining geological understanding and delineating drill targets. Results revealed the presence of a zoned geochemical halo suggestive of an intrusion-related gold system (IRGS). Elemental zonation suggests a central tin-bismuth-arsenic (Sn-Bi-As) core flanked by gold-molybdenum-copper (Au-Mo-Cu) intermediates and an outer halo of gold-arsenic-antimony-tungsten (Au-As-Sb-W).

Numerous new targets were defined based on geochemical anomalies, structural features, and vein density within preferred lithologies, with the most favourable rock unit being a fine arenite-siltstone hosting dense quartz-sulphide sheeted veins.

Key targets for RC drilling

Novo has prioritised four key target areas over a 1 kilometre strike for the June RC campaign:

John Bull Main: Includes the Breccia Zone (67.9 g/t Au), Shear Zone (29 g/t Au), and a historic sluicing area with high quartz vein density.
John Bull South: High-grade soil anomalies up to 4.77 g/t Au and proximity to a monzodiorite intrusion.
Hills Creek West: A coincident soil and induced polarisation (IP) geophysical anomaly near a regional fault.
Digger’s North: Broad gold-in-soil anomaly with peak value of 10.0 g/t Au in an underexplored northern area.

Historical exploration supports model

Previous work by farm-in partner TechGen Metals Ltd included RC drilling that confirmed broad near-surface mineralisation. Notable intercepts included:

94 metres at 0.95 g/t Au from 4 metres, including 66 metres at 1.14 g/t Au
68 metres at 1.00 g/t Au from surface, including 23 metres at 2.02 g/t Au

· These historical sections remain open at depth and along strike, with supporting IP geophysics reinforcing drill targeting.

· Forward work program

· Pending outcomes from Phase 1 drilling, Novo will consider infill and extension drilling, as well as diamond drilling to test deeper potential. Further attention will be directed toward porphyry-related systems in the south-western portion of the tenement.

· Novo is concurrently advancing its broader exploration portfolio, with drilling completed at the Balla Balla Project and active at the Tibooburra Project in New South Wales.

Source: https://www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/