Sunshine Metals has been quick off the mark to get a better handle on its newly acquired Sybil gold project, 135km west of Townsville.

The company said it had started initial mapping and sampling at the Francis Creek prospect, with first rock chip samples in for assay.

It noted increases in vein thickness and colloform-crustiform banding near high-grade historical rock chip sample sites (grading 907g/t gold and 262g/t gold).

“We were encouraged by the data that came with the Sybil acquisition, but after spending time on the ground, our confidence in the district’s gold potential has grown significantly,” Sunshine managing director Damien Keys said.

“Francis Creek is a prolific epithermal vein field with limited historical drilling. Vein textures and geochemical datasets continue to support our geological model, pointing to a thicker auriferous ‘boiling zone’ toward the east and southeast.

“We will be closely evaluating high-potential prospects including Francis Creek East, Quartz Ridge, and the Burdekin Veins in the coming weeks.”

Sunshine announced a $1.225 million agreement in May to buy the Sybil project from a private owner.

It describes Sybil as underexplored ground that is highly prospective for Pajingo-style gold mineralisation.

A drilling program is planned for July–August.