Geopacific sees further Woodlark growth after high-grade results

• Trenching at Geopacific’s flagship Woodlark project reveals intersections up to 16.6g/t gold
• A 30,000m drilling program is underway targeting under explored southwest corner of the Woodlark King mining centre
• Strong results support completion of DFS by year-end, enhancing the project’s production outlook

Special report: Geopacific Resources’ latest surface trenching results confirm more growth potential at the 1.67Moz Woodlark Project, with high-grade gold discovered at the Little MacKenzie prospect and a significant 30,000m drill campaign underway.

The latest trenching campaign has significantly extended known surface mineralisation in the area, with standout gold intersections over a 1km strike including 6m at 6.24g/t of gold, 2m at 16.6g/t gold and 10m at 4.33g/t gold.

These results build on Geopacific Resources (ASX:GPR) previous surface auger sampling in the same areas, which revealed multiple zones grading over 1g/t gold and peak assays up to a jaw-dropping 63.6g/t. These highlight the PNG project’s significant exploration upside as the company works towards completion of its definitive feasibility study by the end of this year.

The trenching is part of an ongoing program of field mapping and sampling activities at the under-explored southwest corner of the project within the Woodlark King mining centre.

This already contains 1.97Mt at 1.04g/t gold for 66,000oz inferred at Wayai Creek, and 5.26Mt at 0.85g/t for 142,000oz gold inferred and indicated at Woodlark King.

CEO James Fox said: “These trenching results confirm the strong prospectivity of the broader Woodlark King area, with the high-grade auger results and extensive surface anomalies extending known mineralisation over an approximate 1km north-south strike extent.”

“A second diamond rig has now arrived on site to complement the existing diamond and RC rigs, along with additional earthmoving equipment to assist with road and pad construction.

“The Little MacKenzie and Wayai Creek targets are shaping up as compelling additions to our pipeline. With a major 30,000 metre drill program well underway, we are excited by the potential to build on our 1.67Moz resource base.”

Drilling to DFS

First assays for the 30,000m drill drive are expected later this month. GPR is targeting new discoveries and resource extensions, including Woodlark’s potential to host a porphyry-style mineralisation, as well as geotechnical data for the DFS.

An independent study by porphyry specialist Dr Bruce Rohrlach outlined 14 porphyry-style targets, with three high-priority zones set for future testing.

Porphyry deposits are a major source of gold, copper and silver, which means these targets have the potential to substantially add to the mineral endowment of the district.

So far, Geopacific has completed 43 mainly RC pre-collars for 3,139 m, with diamond drilling at key locations such as the plant site and Kulumadau, and RC drilling at Busai (Federation and Vulcan), Kamwak, and Boscalo North. A second diamond rig is now on site to accelerate drilling at the Great Northern deposit.

Meanwhile the DFS is on track for release late in Q4 2025 for the project, with key licences already in place.

Ahead of the scheduled DFS, mid-tier gold miner St Barbara (ASX:SBM) is set to become a 14.4% strategic shareholder in GPR via a share swap with Patronus Resources (ASX: PTN).

This will bring significant local operating expertise to Geopacific’s register, subject to Patronus shareholder approval at a general meeting on August 20, as St Barbara operates the Simberi mine in PNG.

This article was developed in collaboration with Geopacific Resources, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.