Perth-based Olympio Metals has reignited its exploration efforts, restarting diamond drilling at the Paquin prospect within its Bousquet gold project in Quebec. This move follows a highly successful maiden program completed last year, with the new campaign focused on building upon standout high-grade results.
Targeting High-Grade Extensions
The 2026 drilling program comprises eight diamond holes for approximately 1,200 metres. It is designed to test both up-plunge and up-dip extensions of mineralisation intersected in previous drilling, which revealed tantalising wisps of visible gold. Two planned holes will specifically target these extensions, while the remainder will concentrate on the top 100 metres of the Paquin system.
This shallow zone has not been drilled since the 1940s, presenting a significant opportunity for modern exploration. Last year's results included impressive intercepts such as 6.40 metres at 6.54 grams per tonne gold from 183.0 metres, 7.90 metres at 6.20 grams per tonne from 138.0 metres, and a remarkable 1.50 metres at 54.20 grams per tonne from 235.5 metres.
Replacing Historic Data with Modern Insights
A key objective for Olympio is replacing historic drilling data with contemporary information. Much of the early exploration across Paquin relied on outdated survey methods and incomplete sampling, leaving substantial gaps in geological understanding. This old data is unsuitable for modern 3D modelling, as it lacks the reliability required for accurate resource estimation.
The new drilling aims to deliver robust structural and geological information that can be confidently incorporated into an updated mineralisation model. This approach is crucial for determining whether the high-grade shoots identified in 2025 extend into previously untested areas.
Geological Characteristics and Strategic Location
Geologically, the area features high-grade disseminated sulphides in biotite-altered schistose and ultramafic rocks, along with stacked, smoky-blue-grey quartz veins. These structurally controlled quartz veins host the gold and typically have associated sulphides, making them potentially detectable by IP or EM geophysical methods.
The Bousquet project is situated on the Cadillac Break within Quebec's Abitibi greenstone belt, a region that has produced over 110 million ounces of gold. Strategically located within 15 kilometres of several multi-million-ounce gold mines, including Agnico Eagle's La Ronde operation and Iamgold's Westwood mine, the area boasts strong mineral endowment and established mining infrastructure.
Company Statements and Future Prospects
Olympio Metals managing director Sean Delaney expressed enthusiasm about the recommencement of drilling. He highlighted that the program will provide further insight into the shallower parts of the Paquin gold system, where historical drill coverage from the 1940s is over 80 years old and unreliable for modern modelling.
Beyond Paquin, Olympio holds an option to acquire an 80 per cent interest in the broader Bousquet project from Bullion Gold Resources through staged cash and share payments and exploration expenditures. To date, the company has completed nearly C$1 million in exploration spending and made C$0.30 million in payments, steadily advancing its foothold in the district.
Positioning for Success in a Prolific Region
With drilling now underway, Olympio aims to confirm continuity, upgrade confidence in shallow mineralisation, and assess whether high-grade shoots extend into untested areas. In a region renowned for delivering long-life, high-grade gold mines, the company is positioning itself to determine if Paquin can join that lineage as modern drilling replaces decades-old data.
The restart of drilling marks a significant step in Olympio's exploration strategy, leveraging modern techniques to unlock the potential of this historic gold belt.
