North Stawell Minerals (NSM) has begun soil sampling across areas of the Stawell Mineralised Corridor as part of its mission to find high grade gold deposits.
The public company, formed in 2020 and completed an intensive drill program from November to May near Glenorchy, which sits over a five-kilometre long 'Wildwood' basalt dome.
NSM also recently commissioned an extensive gravity air survey over its tenements between Stawell and Murtoa, to further boost its knowledge of the area's rock formations and to identify any anomalies.
NSM chief executive officer Steve Tambanis said the drill and air survey results, combined with a few solid months of soil sampling, would give geologists the crucial information required to plan the next round of drilling later in the year.
"We are currently recording and analysing 10,000 metres of rock core, plus samples derived from 50 tonnes of rock chips - all taken from Wildwood," he said.
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"It's the first time an explorer has completed such a deep drilling program on the basalt dome, which is well known for its high-grade gold mineralisation."
Mr Tambanis said the NSM team had grown from four to 12 employees during the past seven months, to ensure that "no rock was unturned".
"Our geologists and field officers are actively soil sampling along roadsides and on private farmland," he said.
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"They'll be using the latest hand-held x-ray technology to take readings of the soil compilation, as well as taking small bags of soil samples.
It's zero to very low impact work and we always consider the local flora and fauna with any exploration activity we conduct."
Mr Tambanis thanked local landholders who had given NSM access so far and encouraged anyone with questions relating to NSM exploration activities to contact the Community Engagement Team on 0477 011 277.
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