Zenith Minerals Expanding Auburn Gold Project High-Grade Discovery

High-Grade Gold Discovery Shines at Auburn: Zenith Minerals Expanding Auburn Gold Project

Zenith Minerals Limited has delivered impressive high-grade gold results from its Auburn Gold Project in Queensland, with recent grab sampling returning spectacular grades of up to 7.96 g/t Au and 6.76 g/t Au. The results complement Zenith Minerals expanding Auburn Gold Project ambitions, which anchor the company’s growing Queensland gold portfolio alongside the flagship Red Mountain Gold Project.

Furthermore, these exceptional results position the company for systematic exploration advancement across both assets. The December 2025 sampling campaign at Auburn has validated the project’s gold potential, with two high-grade samples collected from the historic Blast working supporting the presence of significant surface mineralisation.

In addition, these results build upon the company’s 2022 reconnaissance work, which identified nine of 49 rock chip samples returning grades greater than 1 g/t Au. Remarkably, this included a standout result of 23.3 g/t Au from the New Camp working.

Auburn Project Delivers Consistent Gold Footprint

Recent High-Grade Results Confirm System Prospectivity

Auburn Gold Project continues to demonstrate its exploration potential through systematic surface sampling. According to the announcement, Zenith’s latest seven grab samples have reinforced the presence of high-grade gold mineralisation at surface.

Moreover, results showcase the consistency of gold occurrences across multiple historic workings. The comprehensive sampling programme has validated the geological integrity of the Zenith Minerals expanding Auburn Gold Project strategy.

The Blast working has emerged as a priority target, with both high-grade samples collected from this location demonstrating the potential for concentrated mineralisation zones. Consequently, the consistency of gold values across different sampling campaigns suggests a robust geological system worthy of deeper investigation.

Historical Results Validate Modern Exploration

The announcement highlighted that Zenith’s 2022 reconnaissance programme established a solid foundation for current exploration activities. The campaign included 49 rock chip samples and a regional 200m × 50m soil geochemistry grid, providing comprehensive coverage across the central project area.

Key 2022 Results:

• • Nine samples exceeded 1 g/t Au threshold

• • Peak result of 23.3 g/t Au from New Camp working

• • Six coherent gold anomalies identified through soil sampling

• • Strike lengths up to 600m along structural corridors

The soil geochemistry programme proved particularly valuable, defining three anomalies spatially associated with historic workings and three additional anomalies in previously unrecognised areas. Additionally, a peak soil gold value of 1.1 g/t Au was recorded, indicating broad mineralisation beyond the immediate working areas.

“The Auburn results highlight a consistent gold footprint across multiple prospects within the project area. Recent high-grade grab sampling, together with earlier Zenith rock chip and soil results, reinforces the prospectivity of the system and supports our focus on advancing targeted follow-up work, including preparation for initial drill testing.”

Andrew Smith, Managing Director

Understanding Intrusion-Related Gold Systems (IRGS)

What Makes IRGS Deposits Valuable?

Intrusion-Related Gold Systems (IRGS) represent a distinct style of gold mineralisation associated with granitic intrusive rocks. Unlike traditional orogenic gold deposits that rely heavily on quartz veining, IRGS deposits are characterised by strong alteration zones with limited quartz development.

This geological signature aligns perfectly with observations at Auburn according to the announcement. The Zenith Minerals expanding Auburn Gold Project strategy specifically targets these characteristics for maximum exploration efficiency.

Key IRGS Characteristics:

• • Large-scale mineralised footprints extending over significant areas

• • Vertical continuity often exceeding 500 metres depth

• • Broad, lower-grade zones with high-grade shoots

• • Associated trace elements including arsenic, bismuth, and copper

For investors, IRGS deposits offer several advantages: they typically host substantial tonnages due to their broad nature. Furthermore, they provide multiple drilling targets across extensive areas, and often support bulk mining operations that can generate strong cash flows over extended mine lives.

Formation and Recognition

IRGS deposits form when gold-bearing fluids emanate from cooling granitic intrusions, typically creating broad alteration halos around the heat source. These systems differ from traditional gold deposits because the mineralisation spreads across wider areas rather than concentrating in narrow quartz veins.

The Auburn system displays these characteristics through its distributed gold occurrences across multiple historic workings. Additionally, the presence of trace elements that typically accompany intrusion-related mineralisation suggests the potential for a large-scale mineralised system beneath the current surface sampling areas.

Strategic Path Forward: Drilling on the Horizon

Six-Month Timeline to First RC Drilling

The announcement outlined that Zenith has developed a systematic approach to advancing Auburn toward drill-testing within approximately six months, subject to permitting and final drill planning. The exploration sequence demonstrates disciplined progression from surface sampling through to drilling.

Planned Work Programme:

1. 1. Infill soil sampling (100m × 50m grid) to refine anomaly definition

1. 1. Extension sampling along identified structural corridors

1. 1. Additional rock chip sampling across priority prospects including Truszes, Dreams of Avarice, and Feldspar

1. 1. Digitisation and mapping of historic mine workings

1. 1. First-pass RC drilling targeting highest-priority zones

The infill soil sampling will be particularly valuable, as it aims to confirm strike continuity between the Blast, New Camp, and Big Wonder historic workings. According to the announcement, this connectivity could indicate a single mineralised system rather than isolated occurrences, significantly enhancing the project’s potential scale.

Regional Context Supports Exploration

Auburn sits within the Auburn Arc of Queensland’s New England Orogen, a region with documented historic production dating from the 1880s through 1915. The project benefits from outcropping workings with only minor cover, simplifying exploration logistics and reducing initial drilling costs.

The location within a recognised gold district provides confidence in the geological setting. Moreover, modern exploration methods offer significant advantages over historic approaches that were limited to shallow trenching and drilling typically less than 10m depth.

Investment Thesis: Dual-Asset Queensland Gold Strategy

Auburn Complements Flagship Red Mountain Project

Zenith Minerals expanding Auburn Gold Project development occurs alongside advancement of the flagship Red Mountain Gold Project, also located in Queensland’s New England Orogen. According to the announcement, this dual-asset approach within the same geological province offers several strategic advantages.

Red Mountain Gold Project Highlights:

• • 100% Zenith ownership with no joint venture dilution

• • Breccia pipe system covering 500m × 700m area

• • Recent drilling delivered 325m @ 0.56 g/t Au (including 139.7m @ 1.05 g/t Au)

• • Metallurgical testwork shows 83.3% average recovery via conventional cyanide leaching

• • Infrastructure proximity to Mount Morgan, Cracow, and Mount Rawdon operations

The announcement highlighted the geological similarities between Auburn’s IRGS-style mineralisation and Red Mountain’s setting provide operational synergies. Both projects share comparable host rocks, alteration styles, and structural controls, allowing Zenith to leverage exploration expertise across both assets.

Regional Deposit Comparison

Queensland’s New England Orogen hosts several multi-million ounce gold deposits that share geological characteristics with Zenith’s projects. These regional examples demonstrate the proven potential for large-scale discoveries within this geological terrane.

According to the announcement, Auburn’s IRGS characteristics and Red Mountain’s breccia pipe system position both projects within proven geological environments for large-scale gold deposits. This regional context significantly enhances the exploration potential for the Zenith Minerals expanding Auburn Gold Project initiative.

Technical Excellence Drives Exploration Success

Methodical Sampling Approach

The announcement detailed that Zenith’s approach at Auburn demonstrates systematic geological understanding through careful sample selection and analysis. The seven December 2025 grab samples were collected from specific geological targets identified through earlier reconnaissance work.

Analytical Standards:

• • Au-AA23 (30g fire assay, AA finish) for gold analysis

• • ME-MS61 (four acid digestion, ICP-MS) for trace elements

• • ALS Laboratories Townsville for independent verification

• • GPS coordinates ±5m accuracy for precise location control

The combination of high-grade gold results with associated trace elements including arsenic (up to 154 ppm) and bismuth (up to 24.9 ppm) provides geological context supporting the IRGS interpretation. These pathfinder elements often indicate proximity to larger mineralised systems.

Historical Data Integration

Zenith Minerals expanding Auburn Gold Project benefits from comprehensive historical data integration. The announcement noted that historic exploration from the 1970s through mid-1990s included work by Newmont, Kirk River Mining, and Compass Resources.

However, this work was limited to shallow investigations typically less than 10m depth. The company’s modern approach addresses historical limitations through systematic coverage, detailed analytical suites, and digital data management, providing a robust foundation for drill targeting.

Why Investors Should Track Zenith’s Queensland Expansion

Systematic Exploration Approach Creates Value

The announcement demonstrated that Zenith’s methodology at Auburn shows disciplined capital allocation through systematic progression from reconnaissance through to drilling. The company has avoided premature drilling costs while building a comprehensive geological database that enhances drill target confidence.

Value Creation Timeline:

• • Surface sampling complete – comprehensive gold footprint established

• • Six months to drilling – rapid progression to value catalysts

• • Multiple target areas – Blast, New Camp, Truszes, Dreams of Avarice

• • IRGS potential – targeting large-scale mineralised systems

Strong Financial Position Supports Growth

According to company information, Zenith maintains a strong balance sheet with cash to fund Auburn exploration alongside Red Mountain advancement. The company’s diversified portfolio includes a 25% free-carried interest in the Earaheedy Zinc-Lead-Silver Project and lithium assets.

Furthermore, this provides multiple value drivers beyond the Queensland gold focus. The diversification strategy supports the Zenith Minerals expanding Auburn Gold Project whilst maintaining exposure to other commodity sectors.

Portfolio Highlights:

• • 100% ownership of Auburn and Red Mountain projects

• • No debt obligations constraining exploration activities

• • Government co-funding previously secured for Red Mountain drilling

• • Strategic partnerships reducing capital requirements on other assets

The announcement highlighted the company’s disciplined approach to exploration spending and focus on high-impact targets positions Zenith to deliver significant value growth through successful exploration outcomes.

Market Positioning and Timing

Zenith Minerals expanding Auburn Gold Project occurs within a favourable market environment for Queensland gold exploration. The state’s proven geological endowment, supportive regulatory framework, and established mining infrastructure provide competitive advantages for exploration companies.

The proximity to existing operations including Mount Morgan, Cracow, and Mount Rawdon reduces infrastructure risk. Moreover, it provides potential processing solutions for future development scenarios. This regional context enhances the commercial viability of successful exploration outcomes.

“Auburn Gold Project has delivered consistent high-grade results across multiple prospects, validating Zenith’s systematic exploration approach in Queensland’s proven New England Orogen. With drilling planned within six months and the flagship Red Mountain project providing operational leverage, Zenith offers investors exposure to multiple high-impact gold discovery opportunities backed by strong geological foundations.”

The announcement positions Auburn as a complementary asset to Red Mountain, creating portfolio synergies while reducing single-project risk. The systematic exploration progression and strong technical foundation support the potential for significant value creation through successful drill programmes across both Queensland gold projects.

Could Your Portfolio Benefit from Early Discovery Alerts?

Discovery Alert’s proprietary Discovery IQ model delivers instant notifications on significant ASX mineral discoveries like Zenith’s high-grade Auburn results, empowering subscribers to identify actionable opportunities ahead of the broader market. Explore how major mineral discoveries can generate substantial market returns and begin your 14-day free trial today to position yourself ahead of emerging opportunities.