Galileo Mining (ASX: GAL) is kicking off 2025 with a bang, unveiling a promising suite of drill targets at its Fraser Range Project in Western Australia. The company announced the results of a comprehensive review of electromagnetic (EM) survey data, identifying four fresh sulphide targets primed for testing. These are in addition to the existing prospect at Easterly, raising the stakes for what could be a busy year of exploration.
Situated along the same strike as the Nova nickel-copper mine, the Silver Knight deposit, and Legend Mining’s Mawson discovery, the Fraser Range region is renowned for its nickel-copper sulphide potential. Galileo’s Managing Director, Brad Underwood, is clearly optimistic about the prospectivity of these targets, noting, “Our targets represent a new generation of undercover prospects which are now ready for drill testing.”
What’s in the Pipeline?
The new targets were delineated through the interpretation of EM data combined with insights from magnetic surveys. The conductivity values of these targets—a measure often correlated with sulphide mineralisation—range from 1,140 to 3,700 Siemens. Drill depths are expected to vary between 120 and 300 metres, making them accessible but still deep enough to hold intrigue.
A breakdown of the standout targets includes:
- Kitchener (K2): The heavyweight, with a conductivity of 3,700 Siemens at a depth of 175 metres.
- Easterly Prospect: A prior EM target with a conductivity of 1,140 Siemens, positioned 165 metres below the surface.
- Westerly and Kitchener K1 and K3: Each brings its own compelling geophysical signature to the table.
Drilling at these targets is set to commence in the second quarter of 2025, with the possibility of a game-changing discovery in the cards.
Meanwhile, in Norseman…
In addition to its Fraser Range plans, Galileo is advancing its wholly owned Norseman project, which boasts the Callisto deposit—a standout palladium and platinum discovery made in 2022. The company is poised to begin drilling at Norseman’s Mission Sill in February, focusing on infill and strike-extension drilling along a promising 12-kilometre corridor.
The market is also keenly awaiting assay results from the late-2024 drill program, including assays for palladium, platinum, and rhodium. These findings will guide future drilling campaigns and add clarity to Callisto’s growing resource potential.
Strategic Advantage in the Fraser Range
Galileo has a significant footprint in the nickel-rich Fraser Range, holding joint ventures with the Creasy Group that span over 670 square kilometres. The region’s pedigree, underscored by the proximity to the Nova mine (operated by IGO Ltd), sets a high bar for explorers, but Galileo seems well-prepared to meet the challenge.
Underwood highlighted the strategic value of the company’s landholding, noting, “This is an excellent location to be exploring for new discoveries in an underdeveloped mineral province.” Galileo’s exploration strategy leans heavily on technology, with EM surveys and magnetic data forming the backbone of its targeting.
Challenges and Upside
Despite the promising data, the Fraser Range is no easy nut to crack. The region’s mineralisation is often buried beneath significant cover, making drilling the definitive test of potential. Galileo has been upfront about this, with Underwood acknowledging that drill results will determine whether these targets host economic mineralisation.
Even so, the company’s technical approach—marrying geophysics with geological modelling—has been carefully calibrated to maximise the chances of success.
Looking Ahead
Galileo’s dual focus on nickel-copper sulphides in the Fraser Range and platinum group elements at Norseman places it in a unique position among junior explorers. With a robust exploration pipeline, including two significant drilling campaigns on the horizon, 2025 could be a transformative year for the company.
The market will no doubt watch closely as Galileo drills deeper into its targets, with the hope that Fraser Range and Norseman might one day host the next big discovery. For now, all eyes are on the drills and the assays that will soon follow.
