New Age Exploration Logs Intense Alteration Over 100m at Wallah
Key Takeaways
- New Age Exploration's single Wallah hole logged intense alteration over more than 100m estimated true width, more than triple the width known from historic drilling.
- Five new sub-vertical sheeted vein sets, each 1.55 to 10.50m wide, were identified, with veining logged throughout the entire 134.17m diamond tail.
- Sphalerite and pyrite reached up to 10% and galena 2-5% in sections, but these are visual estimates and no silver-bearing minerals were identified.
- Assay and downhole geophysical results are both due in Q4 CY26, the next catalyst and the first real test of grade.
- Phase 1 was cut from two holes (~300m) to one 225.70m hole, while Phase 2 planning, pad permitting and contractor appointment continue.
Wallah drilling completed, with intense alteration logged over 100m
New Age Exploration has completed Phase 1 (2026) drilling at its 100%-owned Wallah Silver Project (EL9610) in the Lachlan Fold Belt of south-central NSW. Visual logging of the core shows intense alteration over more than 100m (ETW, estimated true width), more than triple the previously known width based on historic drilling.
That is a notable widening, though it comes with a firm caveat. These are visual observations only, and no assays have been returned.
Key facts from the update:
- One hole completed for 225.70m in total, comprising a 91.53m pre-collar (WWRC010) and a 134.17m diamond tail (WWDT010)
- Veining logged throughout the entire cored interval
- Five new sub-vertical sheeted vein sets identified
- Downhole geophysical results and assay results both expected in Q4 CY26
Kirby Johnson, Chief Executive Officer
“Our first hole at Wallah has shown us a much larger mineralised footprint than we expected…”
Historic comparisons refer to the 2 March 2026 announcement. For you as an investor, a wider footprint beneath the historic Walla Walla workings supports the case for further drilling, but grade remains unknown until assays arrive.
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What the core logging revealed
The diamond core showed veining, veinlets, breccia and stockwork styles. The five new vein sets are each 1.55 to 10.50m wide (apparent) and spaced 5.5 to 22.0m apart (apparent).
Vein sets and sulphides
The appendix headings give the apparent widths and downhole intervals for each set. The table below reproduces them as labelled in the source.
| Vein set | Apparent width | Interval (m downhole) |
|---|---|---|
| W1 | **1.55m** | **112.95 to 114.50** |
| W2 | **4.0m** | **120.0 to 124.0** |
| W3 | **2.0m** | **146.0 to 148.0** |
| W4 | **5.5m** | **156.50 to 162.0** |
| W5 | **10.5m** | **177.5 to 188.0** |
Sulphides logged, both vein-related and disseminated, include:
- Pyrite (up to 10% in sections)
- Sphalerite (up to 10% in sections)
- Galena (2–5% in sections)
- Minor chalcopyrite
Sulphides are metal-bearing minerals, and these figures are visual estimates only. They are not a substitute for laboratory analysis.
Link to silver
In historic drilling at the Walla Walla Silver-Lead Mine, elevated silver assays were returned from intervals where galena and sphalerite were logged, alongside high lead and zinc values. The galena and sphalerite in WWDT010 are therefore consistent with the style of silver-rich polymetallic mineralisation being targeted.
However, no silver-bearing minerals have been visually identified in WWDT010. The mineral host of silver at Walla Walla has not yet been determined, and the presence and grade of any silver can only be confirmed by laboratory assay.
Why this matters: understanding intrusion-related silver systems
The Wallah Silver Project targets high-grade intrusion-related silver-rich polymetallic vein and stockwork mineralisation. In plain terms, hot mineral-rich fluids linked to buried intrusions can alter surrounding rock and deposit metals in veins.
Intense alteration, sheeted veins (closely spaced, roughly parallel veins) and sulphides are the kind of features that fit that picture. A wider alteration and vein footprint can mean a larger target, but only assays confirm grade.
The hole was designed to test the down-dip extension beneath the historic Walla Walla Silver-Lead Mine, where previous drilling indicates grade increases with depth. Downhole geophysics (Heterodyne and induced polarisation, or IP) has been completed, with results expected in Q4 CY26.
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Next steps and Phase 2 planning
Phase 1 was reduced from the two-hole (~300m) program outlined on 31 August and 7 September 2026 to a single hole, as WWRC010/WWDT010 returned the information required at this stage. This allows the company to await assay and geophysical results while planning for Phase 2 drilling continues.
Core has been cut, sampled and delivered to ALS Orange. The targeted milestones are:
- Assay results for WWDT010 expected during Q4 CY26
- Downhole Heterodyne and IP geophysical results expected in Q4 CY26
- Integration of assay, geophysical and logging data into the geological model
- Continued planning for Phase 2 drilling, testing extensions to known mineralisation deeper down dip and along strike to the north and south of the historic mine (targeting the IP anomalies identified in reprocessed geophysical data)
- Permitting of drill hole pads and appointment of a drilling contractor for the Phase 2 program
The update follows the completion of the Wallah acquisition (30 June 2026) and the commencement of Phase 1 drilling (7 September 2026). The next catalyst for investors is the Q4 CY26 data.
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