Historic goldfields often have high-grade surface samples near old workings that drilling has not tested. Genesis Resources Limited (ASX:GES) reported reconnaissance rock chip results from Arltunga in the Northern Territory on 20 August 2026.

Company overview

Genesis Resources (ASX:GES) is a copper, gold and base metals explorer with tenements in the Northern Territory. It holds 100% of the Arltunga exploration licence EL 25238, 110 kilometres east-north-east of Alice Springs, and the Alice Springs licence EL 24817.

Rock chip results

The company collected 53 rock chips at Arltunga in areas not previously drilled and 10 at Alice Springs, where unseasonal rain limited sampling. Multiple samples returned over 10 g/t gold across several prospects, including 28.8 g/t at previously unnamed workings at WP10, with other results such as 13.7 g/t at Star Creek and 11.3 and 10.5 g/t at WP10. Samples were assayed by Intertek in Adelaide using 25 g fire assay and ICP.

Geology and follow-up

Mineralisation at Arltunga is hosted by basement metamorphics and overlying quartzite in a folded nappe complex. Sampling targeted quartz veins and iron-rich rocks in schists. The company plans follow-up drilling at WP10 and nearby prospects defined by old workings and rock chips over 5 g/t gold.

How rock chip data should be read

Rock chip sampling collects small pieces of rock from outcrop or workings and is used to find where gold occurs at surface. High values are often found near old workings because earlier prospectors targeted the best-looking veins. Genesis says results above 5 g/t gold will be used to prioritise drilling.

Geological setting of Arltunga

The Arltunga goldfield sits in the Alice Springs-Arltunga Nappe complex, an intensely folded sequence formed in a southward compressive event in which the Amadeus Basin and Paleoproterozoic basement were thrust into their present configuration. Mineralisation is hosted by basement rocks and the overlying Heavitree Quartzite, with mineralised basement units including the Cadney, Hillsoak Bore and Cavanagh Metamorphics.

The tenement sits at the boundary between metamorphic provinces, where lower to higher grade mineral assemblages change, and the Cavanagh Metamorphics outcrop in the west with banded iron formations, amphibolites, granitic gneiss, quartzite and schists.

Sampling program and results

Fifty-three rock chip samples were collected in June 2026 and sent to Intertek in Adelaide, where gold was analysed by 25 gram fire assay and 13 elements by ICP including base metals and some rare earths. Prospects with notable results included Star Creek (6.4 and 13.7 g/t), Chinamans Workings (3.7 g/t) and WP10, where samples returned 28.8, 11.3, 10.5 and 4.0 g/t.

Results were plotted alongside previously collected Genesis samples, and the company said follow-up drilling is planned at WP10 and other nearby prospects defined by old workings and high-grade rock chips over 5 g/t.

Alice Springs tenement

Only 10 rock chips were collected at the Alice Springs tenement because of the onset of unseasonal rain, so that tenement remains lightly sampled.

Sector backdrop

Arltunga is a historic goldfield with small old workings, and reconnaissance sampling favours visible mineralisation, so results are not representative of resource-scale grades.

Historic goldfields such as Arltunga were worked by small-scale miners, and old workings often mark veins that outcrop at surface. Rock chip results from such workings are frequently high, because samplers target visible veins.

Genesis describes itself as a copper, gold and base metals explorer, and the base metal and rare earth data in the assays add context but are not the focus of the release.

Risks shareholders should weigh

Rock chips are selective and do not indicate grade or continuity at depth. No drilling or resource is reported.

Only 10 samples were collected at Alice Springs.

Follow-up drilling needs funding and approvals.

The release reports sample points and not continuous intersections, so thickness and continuity are not known.

Seasonal weather limited sampling at Alice Springs.

What’s next

Genesis plans drilling at WP10 and nearby prospects. Shareholders may wish to watch for drill plans and results.

Drilling is planned, though the announcement does not state dates or budgets.