In recent developments, Western Gold Exploration Ltd. (TSXV: WGLD) has announced significant findings from its 2025 drilling campaign at the Ardlochan site in North Berwick, Scotland. The company, having previously reported promising results from initial drilling in 2023/24, completed a total of 741 meters across three drill holes that targeted various geological formations, including a porphyry-breccia pipe and stock mineralization, as well as a marginal structural zone.
The drilling program led to the discovery of a gold-rich breccia pipe with a diameter of at least 140 meters. This system is noted for its multiple generations of porphyry breccia, indicating a complex geological history. Most of the higher-grade gold mineralization was found in late-stage breccias characterized by a potassic matrix. While copper mineralization was prevalent, it did not correlate well with the gold findings. The overall pipe exhibited an average gold concentration of 0.36 grams per tonne (g/t Au) over 195 meters, starting from 30 meters down the hole. Notable intercepts also included 4 meters at 6.73 g/t Au, confirming the presence of significant gold anomalies.
Harry Dobson, the company’s chairman, expressed enthusiasm regarding the findings, highlighting the potential of breccia pipe systems as major hosts for gold and copper in porphyry systems. He underscored the consistency of the mineralization and the early-stage high-grade discoveries, fostering confidence in the broader prospects of the project.
In addition to the breccia pipe analysis, the second drill hole, designated WGLD25-B, aimed for primary porphyry mineralization. This hole intersected minor levels of copper (up to 0.33% Cu) and gold (up to 0.27 g/t Au) at the contact of granodiorite and phyllite country rock, showcasing a magnetic anomaly linked to potassic veining. However, the mineralization did not meet expectations, resulting in a downgrade of the geophysical target. Intervals of interest included 9 meters at 0.18 g/t Au and additional copper and gold readings at the granodiorite contact.
The third hole, WGLD25-D2, encountered challenges as it did not reach the initial structural zone but did disclose a conductive pyritic granodiorite/monzonite. This zone showed weak copper enrichment and was characterized by various alteration minerals such as quartz and biotite.
The latest drilling results indicate the potential for gold-rich porphyry-style mineralization at Ardlochan. They also validated anomalies from a 2024 airborne MT survey that correlate with significant geological features in the area. Plans are already underway for further exploration, focusing on the previously identified late potassic mineralization within the breccia pipe.
As Western Gold Exploration continues to refine their exploration targets, they have also recovered historic maps documenting the Ardlochan area’s geological landscape, which will aid in future assessments and developments.
The company remains committed to exploring Scotland’s mineral potential, particularly in the underexplored Caledonian Appalachian region. Their primary focus lies within the Lorne Project, which includes not only Ardlochan but also the adjacent Lagalochan copper-gold porphyry property.
As the drilling campaign progresses, the company emphasizes a meticulous approach to verifying assay results and monitoring drilling operations, bolstered by the expertise of a qualified geological consultant overseeing the processes. Given the encouraging findings thus far, Western Gold Exploration is poised to expand its understanding of Ardlochan’s geological value.
