Golden legacy

New Zealand’s gold-mining history dates back to the 19th century, with historic rushes in Otago and the Coromandel regions. Two standout deposits have cemented the country’s credentials — the Martha mine near OceanaGold’s (TSX:OGC,OTCQX:OCAND) Waihi operations, and the Macraes mine in Otago, also operated by OceanaGold. Macraes is the country’s largest active gold mine, producing more than 5 million ounces since 1990. Meanwhile, the Martha underground mine continues to yield ore from epithermal gold-silver veins that were first mined in the 1880s.

These cornerstone projects reflect two dominant geological settings in New Zealand: orogenic gold systems in Otago and epithermal deposits in the North Island. Yet despite this foundation, much of the country’s gold-rich terrain remains untouched by modern exploration.

Leveraging underexplored regions

New Zealand’s reputation as a politically stable, low-risk jurisdiction makes it a compelling place for mineral exploration. But it is the vast areas of underexplored ground that are drawing fresh interest.

In particular, Southland and Central Otago have emerged as areas of growing excitement. These southern regions are underlain by the same prospective terranes as the Macraes deposit but have seen limited drilling and modern geophysical work. Sparse population, favorable land access and existing infrastructure further bolster their potential.

These multiple factors — geology, infrastructure and technology — make a compelling proposition for these regions as the likely location for the next generation of new gold discoveries.

Today’s explorers in New Zealand are armed with advanced geophysical surveys, structural modeling and machine learning algorithms that help refine drill targeting and reduce risk.

Companies like Rua Gold (CSE:RUA,OTCQB:NZAUF), Santana Minerals (ASX:SMI) and New Age Exploration (ASX:NAE) are leading the charge. Rua is targeting high-grade epithermal systems in the North Island.

Santana has seen encouraging drill results at its Rise and Shine project in Otago. Meanwhile, NAE is focused on Central Otago and is applying new tools to revisit overlooked terrain.

Investment spotlight: New Age Exploration

NAE is strategically building a district-scale gold exploration presence in New Zealand, underpinned by advanced technical execution and an experienced board. Its…

Antioquia: Heart of Colombia’s gold-mining industry

Within Colombia, the Department of Antioquia stands out as the premier mining region, contributing approximately 50 percent of the nation’s gold output. This data emphasizes Antioquia’s rich mining heritage, which dates back centuries. The region’s geological formations have consistently yielded high-grade gold deposits, attracting both artisanal miners and large-scale operations.

Antioquia’s dominance in the gold sector is further bolstered by its well-developed infrastructure. The region boasts a network of roads, power supplies and skilled labor that significantly enhances the operational efficiency of mining projects. Ongoing investments in infrastructure continue to improve accessibility and reduce operational costs for mining companies in the area.

Areas such as Segovia, with its high-grade gold deposits, offer strategic importance for exploration and development. The presence of major mining companies in the country not only validates Colombia’s potential but also contributes to the development of robust mining infrastructure.

Competitive landscape in Antioquia

Antioquia’s gold-rich terrain has attracted a diverse array of mining companies, from junior explorers to major producers. This…

Investor Insight

Combining near-term discovery and development strategy, Alice Queen is positioned to unlock significant shareholder value through its high-impact gold projects in Fiji and Australia. Supported by strategic investors, it offers a rare blend of near-term exploration upside and longer-term development potential.

Overview

Alice Queen (ASX:AQX) is a gold exploration company targeting district-scale discoveries and near-term production opportunities. The company’s flagship project is the Viani gold project in Fiji, where early drilling results point to a major epithermal gold system similar to other epithermal gold systems hosted on the Pacific Ring of Fire with Fiji also hosting the 10 Moz Vatukoula gold mine. With a portfolio spanning the Pacific Ring of Fire and Australia’s most prolific gold belts, Alice Queen combines geological potential with strategic capital access.

The company’s secondary asset, Horn Island, contains over half a million ounces of gold in a JORC-compliant resource. A previously released scoping study (2021) for Horn Island indicates an NPV of over AU$500 million, after an internal update on the numbers at AU$5,000/oz gold. Discussions with development partners are underway to unlock value from this asset, which could produce more than AU$800 million in free cash flow over a projected eight-year mine life.

Alice Queen’s shareholder registry is anchored by Gage Resource Development (51 percent) and includes significant long-term, and well-funded Australian investors. The company is pursuing a balanced strategy of value creation through drilling success, strategic partnerships and asset-level monetization.

Company Highlights

• High-impact Discovery at Viani in Fiji: Drilling at the Viani project has confirmed a significant low-sulphidation epithermal gold system with mineralization over a ~5 km strike, with assay results from recent drilling expected imminently.
• Established Gold Resource at Horn Island: The Horn Island project hosts a 524,000 oz JORC-compliant gold resource and is being advanced through potential development partnerships, offering near-term monetization opportunities.
• Strategic Financial Backing: Backed by major shareholder Gage Resource Development, a subsidiary of Beijing-based Gage Capital (US$1.6 billion AUM), ensuring access to growth capital and long-term support.
• Exceptional Leadership: Led by a highly experienced management team with a successful track record in global business and resource development.

The Viani gold project, located on Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second-largest island, is emerging as Alice Queen’s flagship exploration asset, with strong early indications of a large-scale, high-grade,…