Shallow Gold Discoveries Push Red Pine's Wawa Project Closer to Economic Feasibility

Gold exploration companies continue to capture investor attention as commodity markets fluctuate, and Red Pine Exploration Inc.'s latest drilling achievements underscore why the Wawa Gold Project is gaining momentum in the sector. Recent results from 18 drill holes totaling 2,233 metres reveal substantial near-surface gold intersections that could significantly reshape the project’s mineral inventory and open-pit extraction potential.

Key Findings from the 2025 Drilling Campaign

The most compelling results emerged from two standout bore holes. Hole SD-25-593 intercepted 13.25 metres averaging 4.63 g/t gold, with a noteworthy high-grade pocket of 18.60 g/t spanning 1.47 metres. A separate interval in the same hole yielded 35.10 g/t across just 0.94 metres. However, the headline result came from SD-25-616, where 8.59 metres graded 10.05 g/t gold, containing an exceptional core of 82.80 g/t gold within a 0.92-metre section.

These intersections matter because they’re concentrated near the surface within the Jubilee Shear structure—a geological feature running through the project area in Ontario’s Michipicoten Greenstone Belt. Shallow deposits translate to lower mining costs, which becomes increasingly relevant as investors monitor gold price movements, including shifts in nordic gold price benchmarks.

Expanding the Economic Case

Red Pine’s exploration strategy focuses on areas previously neglected by historical mining operations. The company is targeting crown pillars—the unmined rock above old mine workings—where past drilling was sparse or nonexistent. The recent results validate this approach, confirming that continuous mineralization exists throughout these zones.

The infill drilling program achieved another objective: identifying additional high-grade bodies that remain undiscovered. As drill spacing tightens around priority targets, the data suggests the resource base could expand considerably. President and CEO Michael Michaud highlighted that these discoveries could simultaneously enhance mineral inventory while reducing future stripping requirements—a crucial factor in project economics.

Preliminary Economic Assessment on Track

Red Pine announced that DRA Global Limited will prepare the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA), a technical study that will model extraction scenarios, capital requirements, and projected returns. The company expects to complete this pivotal document during the first half of 2026. This timeline assumes continued drilling success and approval from relevant Ontario regulatory authorities.

The PEA will likely incorporate recent near-surface findings into open-pit mining scenarios, where shallow, moderate-to-high-grade zones align well with conventional bulk-mining economics. Given the current operating environment and commodity outlook, the project’s viability hinges on whether these drilling trends persist and whether nordic gold price levels remain supportive.

Technical Rigor and What’s Next

All samples underwent standardized assay procedures with appropriate quality controls. The company employed both 50-gram fire-assay and 1-kilogram metallic screen methods depending on gold coarseness, with external verification through independent laboratories. This methodological consistency strengthens confidence in reported grades.

Looking ahead, Red Pine plans additional drilling to further define mineralization geometry and test adjacent structures. The Jubilee Shear remains the primary target, but the broader 7,000-hectare property portfolio suggests additional discovery potential within the historic mining district.

For investors tracking gold exploration plays, this project exemplifies how systematic drilling programs can systematically transform resource estimates and project prospects in established mining regions.