Listed Australian miner Augustus Minerals Ltd has moved to expand its exploration footprint in Papua New Guinea with a new application for an exploration licence in the Vanapa River region, about 35 kilometres north of Port Moresby. The application, ELA2955, covers 1,906 square kilometres in the highly prospective New Guinea Metallogenic Belt, one of the world’s most significant corridors for gold and copper deposits.
The company lodged the application following a recent site visit by Augustus Minerals and ACM PNG personnel, who travelled with local landowners to review artisanal alluvial gold workings along the Vanapa River and surrounding tributaries. Artisanal miners continue to recover small amounts of alluvial gold in the region, indicating ongoing mineralisation even though the primary source has yet to be identified.
The New Guinea Metallogenic Belt is known for its large-scale mineral deposits, including Frieda River, Porgera, Kainantu, Hidden Valley and Wafi Golpu. The belt runs for more than 2,300 kilometres along the central mountain spine of New Guinea and its northern foothills. Augustus’ application area is located about 40 kilometres southeast along strike from the Tolokuma gold mine, which has historically produced 1.5 million ounces of gold at high grades, along with 4.3 million ounces of silver.
James Warren, Augustus Minerals’ chief executive officer, said the Vanapa River application marks a significant opportunity for the company.
“We are very pleased to have been invited into the Hira Koiari District by the local landowners and presents Augustus with a rare and unique opportunity to conduct true frontier exploration in an area synonymous with Giant orebodies,” Warren said.
“The application area has had little to no modern exploration activity and we’re excited to be the first company to be allowed to explore the region over such a large area. It is an extremely exciting time for Augustus shareholders as we progress our Mt Kare application whilst continuing to seek out and advance exceptional world class projects in the Land of the Giants," the executive added.
According to the company, known gold deposits in the wider Tolokuma–Saki–Mt Tafa region are typically found in narrow fissure veins formed in an epithermal environment. These veins can be as narrow as half a metre but may widen significantly where they intersect with other structures. At surface, the veins often show oxidised sulphides and visible gold. Copper, lead and zinc sulphides are more common at deeper levels. The host rocks in the area consist mainly of volcanic materials overlying an older metamorphic foundation.
Augustus said the late-October site visit helped shape its decision to apply for the large exploration area. Access was mainly by helicopter, with guidance from landowners familiar with the river systems and artisanal workings. While the company did not identify the main source of the alluvial gold during the visit, it believes the region’s geology warrants systematic exploration.
The Vanapa River application comes as Augustus continues to progress its Mt Kare licence application, situated in Hela and Enga provinces. Through its acquisition of ACM Contract Mining PNG Ltd, Augustus holds ELA2446, the licence application covering the Mt Kare gold project. The application is being reviewed by the Minerals Resource Authority and the Mining Advisory Council in order of submission.
Augustus said it has strengthened its board and executive team as part of its effort to position itself as a preferred partner for developing Mt Kare. The company has also been conducting awareness meetings with landowner groups from Enga and Hela to support the permitting process.
Beyond PNG, Augustus continues to advance exploration projects in Western Australia, including the Music Well Project near Leonora and the Ti-Tree Project in the Gascoyne region. Both areas are prospective for gold, copper, lithium and rare earth elements.
Augustus Minerals describes itself as a company led by directors and executives with international experience in exploration, mine development and corporate strategy.
