Western Gold Exploration Ltd has started inaugural diamond drilling, initially focused on the Glen Lyon joint venture licence, at the Caledonian gold project in the Scottish Highlands.
PROSPECTS
The company holds 90% of Glen Lyon and nearby Cononish gold-silver mine owner Acrux Gold holding 10%.
Western will drill test three high-grade gold prospects of Creag Sheileach, Coire a’Ghabhalach, and Chruitein Vein.
“All three sit on the same geological corridor as the neighbouring Cononish mine — Scotland’s only producing gold and silver mine — and each has returned exceptional surface grades,” said the company.
Previous grab sample results at Creag Sheileach include up to 38.6 grammes per tonne gold with mineralisation defined over at least 300m of strike.
Coire a’Ghabhalach revealed up to 61.7 g/t gold, with veining traced over at least 180m of strike.
Chruitein Vein has been mapped up to a 10m true width, with grab sampling returning up to 36 g/t gold and 2,760 g/t silver.
Western will use an equipment helicopter to reach the “remote and rugged terrain” for contractor Mineral Exploration Drilling Ltd to drill a minimum eight holes, for at least 1,500m.
The company added that operations aimed to test each prospect “at depth and along strike beyond known extents”.
First assay results are expected towards the end of the third quarter of 2026.
The JV has also applied for two Crown Estates Mines Royal option agreements of Orchy and Lyon licence areas, across the Tyndrum mineral district, which are part of the Caledonian gold project.