Iceni Gold Ltd (ASX:ICL) has announced a new target area has been identified at Goose Well in Western Australia, with metal detecting discovering a surface gold nugget anomaly.
Surface sampling has identified gold and multi-element anomalism in rock chip samples, with strong circular geophysical anomalies (magnetics and radiometrics) coincident with the multi-element anomalies
The target area hosts a syenite intrusion associated with gold mineralization. Syenite intrusions are linked to major regional gold deposits.
Evidence of historic gold workings can be found in the area of the intrusion and in the surrounding reaction halo. The company is prospecting the area using metal detectors, and systematic searching has recovered +150 gold nuggets adjacent to the Goose Well intrusion.
The nuggets display an assemblage of textures that indicate some surface transport, supergene enrichment and the preservation of primary textures. The presence of angular gold fragments, crystalline gold and attached pieces of the quartz vein host suggest the gold nuggets have not travelled far from source.
The interpretation that the gold nuggets have not travelled far is supported by nearby high-grade gold results in surface rock chip sampling. Peak gold values exceed 20g/t Au and have strong coincident silver, bismuth and tellurium anomalism. These samples were associated with quartz veins hosting fresh sulphides or box works after sulphides.
The multi-element geochemical anomalies are coincident with significant physical and geophysical anomalies related to the syenite intrusion. The intrusion displays a characteristic vegetation assemblage that forms a striking circular vegetation anomaly visible in aerial photography and satellite imagery.
A strong circular high surrounding a central low is apparent in the magnetic imagery. The magnetic high is interpreted to be a magnetite rich reaction zone surrounding the non-magnetic syenite intrusion at its core.
The radiometrics display strong circular total count (TC) and potassium (K) anomalies that are coincident with the central potassium rich syenite intrusion.
“The link between gold anomalism and the syenite related intrusion at Goose Well is significant, considering the established association between syenites and gold mineralization in the Laverton District,” Technical Director David Nixon, said.
“The gold nugget anomaly is supported by the gold anomalism in the rock chips, which in turn are supported by multi-element geochemistry. The system displays a strong gold-silver-bismuth-tellurium signature that is strongly associated with sulphides and quartz veining.
“The combination of the gold nugget anomaly, the rock chip geochemistry and coincident geophysical anomalies forms a compelling new target area for Iceni at Goose Well.
“Metal detecting and geological field work will continue through 2023 at Goose Well and other developing target areas within the 14 Mile Well Project.”
For further information please visit: https://www.icenigold.com.au/
