South Australia focussed Barton Gold (ASX:BGD is awaiting the results of data analysis of a new high resolution airborne gravity survey flown over the historical Challenger gold project.
The 3239 line-km survey acquired over the northern area of exploration licence 6502 is part of Barton’s aggressive exploration strategy in the rich Gawler Craton region.
Managing director, Alexander Scanlon, said the high-resolution data acquired may help uncover analogous near-mine structural targets close to existing infrastructure.
“Challenger produced 1.2 million ounces of gold from high-grade quartz veins, but was developed during a period of record low gold prices. As a result, historical investment favoured development over exploration.”
Historic acquistion
Barton finalised the acquisition of the Challenger project and associated Central Gawler gold mill in 2019 as part of a strategy to consolidate the historic Gawler Craton region.
The aerial survey is a component of a current definitive feasibility study (DFS) on a proposed restart of operations at Challenger, making use of the benefits provided by its ownership of the Central Gawler mill.
The company is also progressing a regional enhancement strategy which includes the Tarcoola and Wudinna blending feed projects.
Updated MRE
The Challenger mine was discovered in 1995 by Dominion Mining and produced approximately 1.2 million ounces of gold during operations from 2002 to 2018.
In late June 2025, Barton announced an updated mineralisation resource estimate for the project of 223,000 ounces of gold, including 81,200 ounces contained in existing high-grade open pit zones.
The updated MRE came on the back of a detailed analysis of historical production and drilling records, and new drilling and site sampling to validate the historical records and actual metallurgical characteristics.
Those studies also identified a number of potential sources of economically viable gold mineralization adjacent to the Central Gawler mill for use as lower-cost and lower-risk ‘Stage 1’ mill feed.
