New Age Exploration (ASX:NAE) has commenced field activities at its fully-owned Wallah Silver Project in New South Wales.
The company reports applications for phase one drill site permits have been lodged, with final approvals expected in the near term. It is also in the process of selecting a contractor, with multiple proposals received.
For phase two drilling, reprocessing of historical data is nearing completion. NAE’s technical team will also be on-site this week to begin field mapping and infill soil sampling at high-priority target areas across the project.
CEO Kirby Johnson says NAE is moving quickly to advance Wallah following completion of the acquisition.
“Wallah gives us a historically high-grade system with more than 10 linear kilometres of largely untested vein alteration footprint within the immediate vicinity,” Johnson says.
“Our immediate priority is to get our team on the ground for mapping, infill soil sampling, and to appoint a drilling contractor.”
Previous work at Wallah has identified four target areas, including the Walla Walla Silver Mine target where known mineralisation remains open along strike and at depth.
Historic mining at the Walla Walla Silver-Lead Mine from 1888 to 1919 produced ‘high-grade’ silver and lead, while 2010 reverse circulation drilling by Silver Mines intersected narrow-vein-style mineralisation up to 2.5m wide, including 223 grams per tonne silver (Ag) and 208g/t Ag.
Additional targets include North-West, Homestead, and Mt Hume, all featuring mapped veins and historic soil geochemical anomalies.
Less than 10% of the licence area has been systematically explored, presenting significant exploration upside.
NAE expects to complete soil sampling and field mapping, finalise its drill targeting model, appoint a drilling contractor, and commence its maiden drilling program in the current quarter.
Meanwhile, phase two drilling is planned for late Q3 2026.
New Age Exploration is a minerals and metals explorer focused on gold, silver, and critical minerals projects in Australia and New Zealand.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: New Age Exploration
