BENU Project
Overview
The Benu Project consists of 2 granted 100% owned exploration licences of 11 subblocks (E 47/4951 and E 47/4940). Both licences are granted in 2025, with 5-year terms.
The project is in the heart of the significant Hemi gold camp along the Mallina Shear Zone, approximately 70 km SW of Port Hedland. The bulk of the project area surrounds the Withnell group of gold deposits, and E 47/4940 is 10 km west of the Hemi deposit. The area is subject to very active exploration by several parties, with Northern Star dominating in ground holdings.
The Withnell group of deposits are quartz veins hosted in Mallina Formation fine-grained clastic sediments associated with the Mallina Shear Zone and associated structures. The Hemi deposits consist of quartz or sulphide veins developed in quartz diorite intrusions into the Mallina Formation sediments.
Westrock believes that the Benu project area is prospective for both Hemi-style and Withnell-style gold mineralisation.
The Archaean Mallina Formation clastic sediment-dominated sequence of the project area is under extensive albeit shallow transported cover. This has hindered past exploration and rendered traditional surface geochemical sampling techniques ineffective. Regional magnetics suggests that the project area has similar lithological and structural characteristics to not only the Withnell trend of deposits, but also likely the Hemi deposit area.
Exploration Program
Learnings of the recent Hemi deposit discovery will be rigorously applied to Westrock’s exploration efforts. The company plans to:
- Review historic exploration reports and compile all historic data.
- Combine reconnaissance recce and ground geophysics to generate preliminary drilling targets.
- Investigate and optionally implement suitable geochemical targeting techniques.
- Carry out RAB and RC drilling to test drilling targets.