Exploration activity across Australia’s resources sector this week includes Magmatic Resources commencing diamond drilling at its Myall copper–gold project in New South Wales, targeting deeper porphyry-style mineralisation beneath previous RC intercepts. Parallel campaigns involve new drill programmes and project development steps at multiple sites, signalling continued spend on brownfield extensions and greenfield targets despite cost pressures. Geotechs and mine planners should watch for updated resource models and potential shifts in pit-shells or underground designs as deeper porphyry and structurally controlled zones are tested.

High-grade gold intercepts from Ora Banda Mining’s Golden Pole deposit are boosting the underground potential of the Waihi project near Kalgoorlie, with targeted follow-up drilling extending mineralisation along strike and at depth. The company is focusing on narrow, high-grade lodes accessible from existing underground development, aiming to convert recent hits into JORC-compliant resources and near-term ore feed for the Davyhurst processing plant. For geotechs and mine planners, the results point to deeper stoping fronts, tighter ground control requirements and potential schedule changes for underground access development.

Victory Metals has reported “breakthrough metallurgical results” from its North Stanmore rare earths project in Western Australia, described as one of the largest clay-hosted rare earth deposits in the country. Testwork on the ionic clay mineralisation indicates significantly improved rare earth recoveries using relatively simple leach conditions, pointing to lower acid consumption and shorter residence times than hard-rock counterparts. For process engineers and mine planners, the results suggest potential for lower capital-intensity heap or tank leach circuits and more competitive operating costs if scaled successfully.