First-Ever Drilling Programme Targets Southern Cross East Gold Anomaly

Heritage Survey Unlocks Path to First-Ever Drill Program at Promising Gold Target

Golden State Mining (ASX: GSM) has successfully completed a key Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Survey at its 100% owned Southern Cross East gold project, paving the way for a highly anticipated air-core drilling program scheduled to commence in late April 2025.

The survey, conducted in collaboration with the Marlinyu Ghoorlie Native Title Claimant Group, represents the first recorded heritage assessment in the area and covers high-priority drill targets identified through previous soil sampling campaigns.

"Being close to an interpreted major structure and fault splay does potentially suggest the hallmarks of a buried gold mineralisation system," said Michael Moore, Managing Director of Golden State Mining. "Given no previous exploration work has been conducted in this region, we feel the work that GSM has undertaken so far certainly justifies the execution of a targeted drill program."

Robust Gold Anomaly Points to Untapped Potential

The upcoming 1,000-meter air-core drilling will target a compelling gold-in-soil anomaly that has been verified through multiple sampling methods:

• Initial ultrafine soil sampling programs identified a strong gold anomaly
• Follow-up conventional soil sampling techniques confirmed the presence of gold
• Associated gold pathfinder elements further validate the target's potential
• Proximity to a major structural feature enhances prospectivity

The anomaly's location near an interpreted major structure and fault splay is particularly significant, as such geological settings often host substantial Golden State Mining Southern Cross East drilling throughout Western Australia's goldfields.

Understanding Air-Core Drilling: An Effective First-Pass Exploration Tool

Air-core drilling represents an ideal initial testing method for GSM's Southern Cross East target. This cost-effective technique allows exploration companies to sample beneath shallow cover and reach depths typically between 40-80 meters.

Unlike more expensive diamond or reverse circulation drilling, air-core drilling uses compressed air to drive a blade bit into softer materials, collecting samples that can define the extent and basic characteristics of potential mineralisation.

How Air-Core Drilling Works

Air-core drilling is a rotary drilling technique that uses hardened steel or tungsten blades to cut through the regolith (weathered rock, soil, and alluvium). Compressed air forces the cuttings up the inner tube where they're collected at the surface for analysis.

The process is particularly useful for:

1. Testing beneath shallow cover where surface sampling might be ineffective
2. Rapidly assessing large areas at relatively low cost
3. Obtaining samples of the weathered bedrock to identify potential mineralisation
4. Defining the extent of geochemical anomalies before more expensive drilling methods are employed

Limitations of Air-Core Drilling

It's important for investors to understand that air-core drilling has certain limitations:

• Drilling depth is restricted to softer materials, typically reaching refusal at harder rock interfaces
• Sample quality can be compromised when drilling through water-bearing formations
• Cannot effectively penetrate fresh bedrock, limiting its use in areas with minimal weathering profiles
• Less precise than diamond or reverse circulation drilling for defining resource boundaries

For investors, air-core programs provide crucial early-stage data that determines whether more expensive follow-up drilling is warranted. Positive results from Golden State Mining Southern Cross East drilling can significantly de-risk a project and potentially lead to resource definition work.

Upcoming Milestones and Timeline

Golden State Mining has clearly outlined its near-term exploration roadmap:

With all necessary approvals now secured, the company is focusing on mobilising personnel and equipment to the site to execute the drilling program on schedule.

Investment Perspective: Why Southern Cross East Matters

The Southern Cross East project represents a compelling exploration opportunity for several key reasons:

1. Virgin Territory: Despite its location in a prolific gold region, the project area has never been systematically explored, offering true "greenfield" discovery potential.

2. Methodical Approach: GSM has built a strong technical case for drilling through multiple phases of soil sampling, demonstrating a disciplined approach to target generation.

3. Structural Setting: The anomaly's association with a major structure enhances its potential significance, as similar geological settings host numerous major gold deposits across Western Australia.

4. 100% Ownership: The company's full ownership of the project means shareholders gain maximum exposure to exploration success without joint venture dilution.

The Significance of Soil Anomalies in Gold Exploration

The soil anomalies identified at Southern Cross East represent an important first step in the mineral exploration process. Gold-in-soil anomalies are formed when gold particles from underlying mineralised systems gradually migrate upward through weathering and erosion processes.

Strong soil anomalies, particularly when accompanied by pathfinder elements typically associated with gold deposits, can provide valuable vectors toward potential mineralisation. In the case of Southern Cross East, GSM has employed multiple sampling techniques to verify the anomaly, increasing confidence in the target.

The company's approach of using both ultrafine and conventional soil sampling methods is particularly noteworthy, as it helps eliminate false positives and confirms the presence of a genuine geochemical signature that warrants Golden State Mining Southern Cross East drilling.

The Role of Heritage Surveys in Exploration

The successful completion of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Survey at Southern Cross East represents an important milestone beyond simply obtaining necessary approvals. These surveys play a vital role in:

• Identifying and protecting cultural heritage sites of significance to Traditional Owners
• Building positive relationships with local Aboriginal communities
• Ensuring responsible and respectful exploration practices that consider the cultural significance of the land
• Meeting regulatory requirements essential for exploration activities

Golden State Mining's engagement with the Marlinyu Ghoorlie Native Title Claimant Group demonstrates the company's commitment to responsible stakeholder management, a factor increasingly important to ESG-conscious investors.

Why Investors Should Track Golden State Mining

Golden State Mining represents a focused gold exploration opportunity with several attractive attributes:

• Targeted Exploration Strategy: The company has systematically built a case for drilling through multiple sampling methods before committing to more expensive drilling.

• Responsible Stakeholder Engagement: The successful heritage survey demonstrates GSM's commitment to working respectfully with Traditional Owners.

• Experienced Leadership: The exploration program is guided by Geoff Willetts, the company's Exploration Manager, who brings significant technical expertise to target selection and testing.

• Near-Term Catalysts: With drilling scheduled for late April 2025, investors have a clear timeline for potential share price catalysts.

For investors seeking exposure to early-stage gold exploration, GSM's imminent Golden State Mining Southern Cross East drilling offers a compelling opportunity to participate in the essential first test of a virgin gold target in Western Australia's globally significant gold province.

What to Watch For

As the drilling program progresses, investors should monitor:

• Drill assay results: Initial results from the air-core program will determine whether the target has merit for more extensive follow-up
• Presence of gold pathfinder elements: Even in the absence of high-grade gold hits, pathfinder elements can provide vectors toward potential mineralisation
• Geological information: Data about the underlying rock types and structures will help refine the geological model
• Company announcements: Any expansion of the drilling program would suggest encouraging early results

Key Takeaway:
Golden State Mining has positioned itself to test a never-before-drilled gold target with promising characteristics in late April 2025. With a robust gold anomaly, favourable structural setting, and systematic approach to exploration, GSM offers investors a clear upcoming catalyst in a historically productive gold region.

Ready to Join the Golden State Mining Opportunity?

Discover why Golden State Mining's promising gold exploration at Southern Cross East could be a valuable addition to your investment portfolio. With imminent drilling in untapped territory, an established gold anomaly, and experienced leadership, GSM offers a compelling exploration opportunity with clear near-term catalysts. Visit Golden State Mining's website today to learn more about their projects and investment potential before the drill results start flowing in.