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Golden Horse Minerals Trots onto the ASX: A New Player in the Southern Cross Gold Rush

Written by Staff Writer | Dec 16, 2024 2:41:15 AM
 Golden Horse Minerals Limited (ASX:GHM) has officially saddled up on the Australian Securities Exchange, making its debut today following a successful Initial Public Offering (IPO) that raised the maximum target of $18 million. The company’s listing marks the next chapter in its strategic pivot from the TSX Venture Exchange to focus entirely on the prolific Southern Cross Greenstone Belt, a premier gold-producing district in Western Australia.
 

                                                                                                  CEO Nicholas Anderson and Chairman Graeme Sloane


From TSX to ASX: Streamlining for Success

The decision to delist from the TSX Venture Exchange is part of Golden Horse's effort to simplify its corporate structure and align its operations with the Australian market. The IPO saw shares priced at $0.25 each, with a priority allocation of $4 million for eligible Emerald Resources NL (ASX:EMR) shareholders, a key supporter of the company. Joint lead managers Canaccord Genuity (Australia) Limited and Euroz Hartleys Limited helped steer the public offering to a full subscription.

Managing Director and CEO Nicholas Anderson expressed gratitude for shareholder backing, stating, “Golden Horse Minerals is now 100% focused on getting on the ground in the Southern Cross in an effort to unlock the immense potential of the region for additional resources as well as new discoveries.” He promised a steady flow of updates as the company advances its exploration activities.

A Golden Opportunity in the Southern Cross

Golden Horse’s flagship Southern Cross Project spans 130 kilometres of the Southern Cross Greenstone Belt, an area renowned for its 1+ million-ounce gold deposits. The project boasts a combination of advanced prospects, such as Hopes Hill, Hakes Find, and Pilot, alongside greenfield opportunities ripe for exploration.

The $18 million IPO proceeds will fund a comprehensive exploration program across Golden Horse’s holdings. Key allocations include $11.4 million for district-scale exploration targeting gold and lithium, $0.6 million for work at the Redbank Copper Project, and $2.8 million earmarked for general working capital. Another $1.5 million will repay a loan to Emerald Resources, reflecting the company’s commitment to financial prudence.

Ambitious Exploration Plans

In 2025, the company intends to focus on three main areas of exploration:

  1. Mineral Resource Definition Drilling: Establishing a solid resource base at key prospects like Hopes Hill and Hakes Find.
  2. Brownfields Exploration: Leveraging existing infrastructure and historical mining data to expand known gold zones at sites such as Greenmount and Baby Queen.
  3. Greenfields Exploration: Systematically testing new targets to ensure a robust pipeline of future discoveries.

With these initiatives, Golden Horse aims to solidify its position as a key player in the district, targeting both near-term resource growth and long-term exploration upside.

A Seasoned Team at the Helm

Golden Horse is led by a highly experienced board, including Chairman Graeme Sloan, who brings over 35 years of mining leadership, and CEO Nicholas Anderson, a seasoned capital raiser with deep sector experience. Non-Executive Directors Jim Harris and Brett Dunnachie round out the team, contributing expertise in project management, governance, and financial compliance. This leadership group is expected to steer the company with strategic focus and operational rigour.

The Path Ahead

The ASX debut of Golden Horse comes amidst a buoyant market for gold exploration, driven by robust demand and favourable commodity prices. The company's positioning in the Southern Cross Greenstone Belt—a district known for its world-class deposits—offers significant upside if exploration programs yield strong results.

As the drills start turning in 2025, investors can expect a steady stream of updates, particularly as the company advances its resource definition efforts. With a well-funded balance sheet, a highly prospective asset base, and an experienced leadership team, Golden Horse Minerals is poised to make its mark in the Australian gold exploration sector.

Whether this stallion races ahead or encounters hurdles will depend on its ability to convert potential into proven resources. For now, Golden Horse is off to a galloping start.