ECR Minerals (ECR ) has commenced a major multi-phase reconnaissance mapping and target-generation programme across its 80%-owned Tuckanarra gold project in Western Australia.
The programme will be undertaken in collaboration with the Australian Prospectors and Leaseholders Association, with members conducting systematic reconnaissance across the project.
The programme is expected to generate extensive geological observations and exploration data, with the first phase being undertaken at no additional direct cost to the company.
An initial two-week field programme will commence later this month, involving approximately eight experienced exploration field personnel, following up on earlier work that has already identified multiple priority target areas, including one location where more than 100 small gold nuggets have been previously recovered in close proximity to a historic mine shaft.
A significantly expanded second phase is planned for March 2027, with up to 80 experienced field personnel expected to undertake a systematic two-week reconnaissance programme across the project.
The programme will include systematic geological mapping, the identification and recording of historical mine workings and mineralised outcrop, GPS recording of significant geological features, reconnaissance sampling, detector reconnaissance, and identification and prioritisation of new exploration targets.
Previous work has also identified significant potential for paleochannel-hosted gold within the Tuckanarra project area, which is supported by historical drilling adjacent to the license boundary and confirmed by a ground penetrating radar survey passing into the company's license area, plus geophysical interpretation highlighting multiple untested targets across the Tuckanarra project.
"We consider the Tuckanarra Project to be one of the most exciting exploration assets within our expanded Australian gold portfolio,” said Nick Tulloch, chairman of ECR Minerals.
“Located adjacent to a third-party substantial JORC gold resource and covering a highly prospective but comparatively underexplored geological setting, we believe the project has significant discovery potential. This initiative represents one of the largest reconnaissance mapping and target-generation programmes ever undertaken across the project. By working alongside members of the Australian Prospectors and Leaseholders Association, we expect to rapidly expand our geological understanding and identify new exploration opportunities across the licence area.
"Importantly, the first stage of this programme will be undertaken at no additional direct cost to ECR, allowing us to preserve the funds we raised last year for higher-value follow-up activities such as geophysics, trenching and drilling.”
View from Vox
Located adjacent to Odyssey Gold's 407,000-ounce JORC gold resource, the Tuckanarra represents one of ECR’s most prospective exploration assets, with potential for both primary gold mineralisation and paleochannel-hosted gold discoveries. Not surprisingly, ECR’s shares ticked up on the news that this project, with its significant upside is now going to be the subject of much closer attention.