霍瑞松黄金公司（Horizon Gold）在西澳大利亚中西部Gum Creek金矿项目的可行性研究范围之外，通过钻探在Kingfisher、Hawk和Swan三个矿点发现了高品位黄金矿化迹象[1]。其中Kingfisher矿点的主要成果为一条23米长的矿化体，平均品位为5.26克/吨黄金，核心15米区间的品位更是高达7.65克/吨[1]。该矿点的其他钻孔也获得了可观结果，包括45米×1.24克/吨、12米×2.81克/吨和1米×23.4克/吨的矿化[1]。
Hawk矿点获得12米×2.3克/吨的矿化结果（内含6米×4.26克/吨高品位段），另有一条钻孔获得5米×3.46克/吨的成果[1]。Swan矿点的最好结果为16米×1.84克/吨矿化（含7米×3.03克/吨的高品位层），钻孔深度达45米[1]。这些新发现位于拟议的年处理能力为240万吨的处理厂附近，有潜力进一步扩大矿物资源并改善项目的经济可行性[1]。
根据已完成的可行性研究，Gum Creek项目的全面矿物资源量达3797万吨，品位1.89克/吨，共计230万盎司黄金[1]。项目首年预期黄金产量为88000盎司，第二年达到峰值114000盎司[1]。按5500澳元/盎司的金价计算，该项目的税前自由现金流预计达19.54亿澳元[1]。建设资本支出估计为3.5亿澳元，初期矿山寿命为10年[1]。霍瑞松黄金董事长Scott Williamson表示，这些"高品位结果突显了资源扩展的潜力"[1]。
Horizon Gold has announced significant high-grade gold mineralization discoveries at three prospects located outside the defined feasibility study area of its Gum Creek gold project in central-western Western Australia.[1] The exploration results from the Kingfisher, Hawk, and Swan prospects demonstrate the potential to expand the mineral resource and enhance project economics near the proposed 2.4 million tonnes per annum processing facility.[1]
The Kingfisher prospect delivered the strongest results, with a 23-meter intersection averaging 5.26 grams per tonne of gold, including a 15-meter core section grading 7.65 grams per tonne.[1] Additional intercepts at Kingfisher included 45 meters at 1.24 grams per tonne, 12 meters at 2.81 grams per tonne, and a high-grade 1-meter sample returning 23.4 grams per tonne.[1] At the Hawk prospect, drilling intersected 12 meters averaging 2.3 grams per tonne, with a 6-meter core section assaying 4.26 grams per tonne, and a separate hole returned 5 meters at 3.46 grams per tonne.[1] The Swan prospect recorded 16 meters at 1.84 grams per tonne, including 7 meters at 3.03 grams per tonne within the top 45 meters of the hole.[1]
The Gum Creek project's definitive feasibility study outlines an initial mine life of 10 years with a mineral resource of 37.97 million tonnes at 1.89 grams per tonne, representing 2.3 million ounces of gold.[1] The study projects first-year production of 88,000 ounces with peak output of 114,000 ounces in the second year, supported by 18.2 million tonnes of ore at 1.24 grams per tonne containing 728,000 ounces.[1] At a gold price of A$5,500 per ounce, the project is forecast to generate pre-tax free cash flow of A$1.954 billion, with an all-in sustaining cost of A$2,995 per ounce against a current spot price of A$5,780 per ounce.[1] Initial capital expenditure is estimated at A$350 million.[1] Horizon Gold Chairman Scott Williamson stated that the "high-grade results highlight the resource extension potential" of the project.[1]