Investor Insight

As it advances its portfolio of gold assets in Western Australia’s prolific Pilbara gold province and New Zealand’s Otago Schist Belt, New Age Exploration presents a compelling investor value proposition, supported by a lean, discovery-driven strategy and an experienced technical team.

Overview

New Age Exploration (ASX:NAE) is building a pure-play gold exploration story centered on high-quality assets in tier-one jurisdictions in Western Australia and New Zealand. The company’s clear strategy is to operate in geological corridors already proven by major discoveries, while applying modern, cost-effective exploration techniques to define new zones of mineralization.

In Western Australia, the company’s Wagyu gold project is directly along strike from De Grey Mining’s Hemi discovery – now owned by Northern Star Resources (ASX:NST). In New Zealand, its projects – Lammerlaw and Otago Pioneer Quartz – lie within the same regional structure that hosts OceanaGold’s (TSE:OGC) 5 Moz Macraes deposit and Santana Minerals’ (ASX:SMI) rapidly growing Rise & Shine system.

With gold prices hovering at all-time highs, NAE’s approach favours technology-led targeting, rather than brute-force drilling campaigns, by using geophysics, geochemistry and passive seismic to zero in on structurally controlled gold systems with potential for scale.

All its projects are supported by local technical teams and seasoned exploration leadership, allowing concurrent progress and capital-efficient deployment. Recent programs at Wagyu and Lammerlaw have confirmed early-stage discoveries, and both assets are advancing through their next stages of drilling and target definition.

Company Highlights

• Pilbara and Otago Exposure: Strategic landholdings in two world-class gold regions – Pilbara (WA) and Otago (NZ) – offering dual discovery potential.
• Hemi-style Intrusion Targets: The Wagyu Gold Project shares geological features and proximity with De Grey Mining’s 11.7 Moz Hemi discovery, increasing the likelihood of a major find.
• High-grade Intercepts: Recent drilling at Wagyu returned standout intercepts including 11.2 g/t gold and 1m @ 15.6 g/t gold.
• Emerging New Zealand Gold Revival: Positioned at the forefront of a regional exploration resurgence in New Zealand’s South Island, supported by rising gold prices and favorable regulatory conditions.
• Strong Cash Position: Recently raised AU$1.96 million to fund ongoing drilling, with multiple near-term catalysts expected.

Key Projects

Wagyu Gold Project

The Wagyu gold project is New Age Exploration’s flagship asset located in the highly prospective Central Pilbara region of Western Australia. The project is strategically situated between two major gold systems – Northern Star’s Hemi Gold Deposit (11.7 Moz gold resource) and the Withnell deposit – within the Mallina Basin, which hosts a similar intrusive-style orogenic gold mineralizing system. NAE holds exploration license E47/2974, which covers 136 sq km. Since acquiring the project, NAE has conducted extensive early-stage exploration, beginning with the reinterpretation of geophysical datasets, including airborne magnetics, radiometrics and satellite imagery, to delineate potential Hemi-style intrusions and structurally hosted gold targets.

Wagyu gold project location map

The company-initiated fieldwork in April 2024, completing soil sampling, gravity surveys and passive seismic geophysical surveys to refine drill targets. These efforts culminated in an extensive aircore drilling campaign (257 holes, over 7,000 m drilled), which identified a broad, crescent-shaped gold anomaly approximately 1.5 km in strike length. Notable results included intercepts such as 5.3 grams per ton (g/t) gold over 4 m (including 15.6 g/t gold over 1 m) and 2.7 g/t gold over 2 m. Encouraged by these results, the company completed its maiden RC program in March-April 2025, drilling 3,023 m across 33 holes targeting two high-priority gravity anomalies. Assays released in May 2025 confirmed a shallow oxide gold system and evidence of underlying mineralized structures, including 1.26 g/t gold over 5 m from 31 m (WRC029), 1.32 g/t gold over 3 m from 43 m (WRC031), and 1.44 g/t gold over 2 m from 83 m (WRC009). Numerous other holes returned mineralized intervals of 0.5 to 0.8 g/t over broad zones.

Importantly, geological logging and geophysical modeling support the presence of vertical feeder structures, interpreted as potential gold-bearing intrusions and fault-hosted ‘pipes,’ similar to Hemi’s discovery model. The Wagyu system remains open in all directions, with multiple untested gravity targets and deeper feeder zones yet to be explored. A follow-up RC campaign is planned for Q3/2025, focused on extending mineralization and chasing those deeper pipe-like structures beneath the supergene blanket.

Lammerlaw Gold and Antimony Project

Lammerlaw permit occurs in the southern limb of a regional fold feature characterised by a change in metamorphic grade from upper greenschist (purple) to lower greenschist (green).

The Lammerlaw gold and antimony project is located in the Otago Schist Belt, a prolific gold-bearing region in the South Island of New Zealand. The project spans 265 sq km and is held under Exploration Permit EP60807. The area is renowned for its historic gold production and geological similarity to OceanaGold’s Macraes Mine, New Zealand’s largest active gold mine with more than 5 Moz in resources. NAE acquired the project through a competitive acreage release and has since completed desktop studies, field mapping and geochemical sampling, which identified multiple 2 to 4 km-long gold-antimony soil anomalies aligned with historical workings.

During 2023-2024, the company identified nine high-priority drill targets based on soil geochemistry (gold, antimony, arsenic, tungsten), historic production data and structural mapping. NAE mobilized a Phase 1 RC drill program in early 2025, designed to test structurally hosted vein systems within both brittle and ductile deformation zones. This work confirmed the presence of gold and antimony mineralization in several targets, though results are still under review. Access to some targets is subject to Department of Conservation approvals, which the company is pursuing concurrently. A Phase 2 drill campaign is planned for Q1/2026, pending access approvals and final interpretation of current results.

Otago Pioneer Quartz Project

Overview of prospects locations within the OPQ Gold Exploration Project.

The Otago Pioneer Quartz (OPQ) project is in Central Otago within the historic Gabriel’s Gully gold district, the epicenter of the 1860s Otago gold rush. The project lies within the same regional schist belt that hosts OceanaGold’s Macraes operation. NAE acquired the OPQ tenement to secure additional exposure to high-grade shear-hosted and orogenic gold systems in the Otago region. The area is characterized by low-sulphide gold quartz veins associated with greenschist facies metamorphic rocks and late-stage brittle faulting.

While still early-stage, the company has conducted preliminary soil sampling and mapping across the tenement to delineate mineralized structures. Historical records suggest significant past production from alluvial and hard-rock sources, though modern exploration has been minimal. Given its proximity to known gold-bearing shear zones and favourable host rocks, OPQ remains a high-priority, low-cost exploration asset for future campaigns.

Going forward, NAE intends to conduct detailed geochemical and structural mapping, followed by scout drilling at known historical workings. The project remains a capital-light optionality play with future drill programs dependent on results from Lammerlaw and Wagyu.

Management Team

Alan Broome – Chairman

Alan Broome is a highly respected figure in the Australian mining industry with more than 40 years of experience across mining, metals and mining technology. A metallurgist by training, Broome has served as chairman and director of numerous ASX-listed and private companies, contributing to significant exploration and development successes. His leadership brings deep strategic insight and a proven track record in guiding discovery-stage companies through to project advancement.

Joshua Wellisch – Executive Director

A capital markets executive with deep ASX and venture experience, Joshua Wellisch leads strategic and operational execution for NAE’s projects. Wellisch is also currently a director of NRG Capital, specialising in capital raisings, corporate structuring and the facilitation of ASX listings and was formerly managing director of Kairos Minerals Limited.

Peter Thompson – Chief Geologist

Appointed in 2025, Peter Thompson brings 35+ years of exploration leadership including stints at Western Mining, Anaconda Nickel, and as CEO of St Barbara. He led redevelopment of Beaconsfield Gold Mine, spearheaded the acquisition, listing and development of the Karlawinda gold deposit and was instrumental in the discovery and advancement of large volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits in Mongolia.

James Pope – Consulting Geologist (NZ)

James Pope is a highly experienced minerals sector professional with nearly 30 years in exploration, consulting and research across a broad range of commodities including gold, PGE, diamonds, base metals, coal and coal seam gas. He currently leads Strata Geoscience, a specialised geoscience consultancy based in Christchurch, New Zealand. Throughout his career, Pope has progressed from hands-on geological mapping and drill site supervision to leading multidisciplinary teams of up to 50 professionals delivering exploration, resource assessment, engineering and environmental services.

Kerry Gordon – Consulting Geologist (NZ)

Kerry Gordon is a seasoned minerals sector professional with nearly 25 years of experience spanning exploration, resource development and operations. He is currently a principal at Strata Geoscience, and has worked across New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam and Mongolia on projects involving gold, critical metals (antimony, tungsten), coal, coal seam gas, and conventional petroleum. Gordon is an expert at managing exploration programs in remote and technically demanding environments, with a strong focus on field-based geological techniques, complex drilling and downhole logging operations, and logistical coordination.

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

Bitcoin (BTC) is priced at US$108,159, a 0.3 percent decline in the last 24 hours. The day’s range for the cryptocurrency brought a low of US$107,591 and a high of US$108,551.

Bitcoin price performance, July 7, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

Bitcoin hovered near US$109,000 at the start of the day as investors shifted from equities to crypto in response to tariff-related uncertainty under US President Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, MicroStrategy’s (NASDAQ:MSTR) paused its weekly Bitcoin purchases for the first time since March, signaling a strategic reassessment amid recent volatility. Together, macro pressures and institutional moves helped support Bitcoin’s price.

Ethereum (ETH) is priced at US$2,546.07, up by 0.2 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation as of Monday was US$2,521, and its highest was US$2,553.

Altcoin price update

• Solana (SOL) was priced at US$149.11, down by 1.3 percent over 24 hours. Its lowest valuation as of Monday was US$149.21, and its highest was US$153.06.

• XRP was trading for US$2.30, up 1.6 percent in the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency’s lowest valuation was US$2.28, and its highest was US$2.30.

• Sui (SUI) is trading at US$2.87, down by 0.7 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation was US$2.84 and its highest was US$2.92.

• Cardano (ADA) is priced at US$0.5847, down by 0.4 percent in the last 24 hours. Its lowest valuation as of Monday was US$0.5764, and its highest was US$0.589.

Today’s crypto news to know

CoreWeave to acquire Core Scientific for US$9 billion

CoreWeave (NASDAQ:CRWV) signed a definitive agreement to acquire Core Scientific (NASDAQ:CORZ) in an all-stock deal valued at US$9 billion, the company announced today. Core Scientific’s shareholders will receive 0.1235 shares of CoreWeave Class A common stock for each share of Core Scientific, representing a 66 percent premium over Core Scientific’s June 25 closing price of US$12.30.

The deal had been in the works for over a year. A US$1 billion bid made by CoreWeave in 2024 was initially rejected as too low, but the Wall Street Journal reported in June 2025 that discussions between the two companies had resumed.

“This acquisition accelerates our strategy to deploy AI and (high-performance computing) workloads at scale,” said Michael Intrator, CoreWeave’s CEO, Chair and co-founder. “Verticalizing the ownership of Core Scientific’s high-performance data center infrastructure enables CoreWeave to significantly enhance operating efficiency and de-risk our future expansion.”

Bit Digital shifts corporate treasury from Bitcoin to Ether

Digital asset firm Bit Digital (NASDAQ:BTBT) has shifted its corporate treasury from Bitcoin to Ether, according to an announcement made by the company on Monday.

The change was punctuated by a purchase of more than 75,000 ETH tokens, funded by the sale of 280 Bitcoin and proceeds raised during a recent public offering that brought in US$172 million.

According to the announcement, Bit Digital held 24,434 ETH prior to the offering, and the additional ETH acquisition has brought the company’s total to approximately 100,603 ETH. This move establishes Bit Digital as the second-largest corporate holder of ETH after Coinbase Global, according to CoinGecko data.

Following this news, Bit Digital’s stock closed over 18 percent higher, and its market capitalization temporarily rose above US$1 billion.

The Blockchain Group and Smarter Web Company expand Bitcoin holdings

On the other hand, France’s The Blockchain Group (EPA:ALTBG) and the United Kingdom’s Smarter Web Company (AQSE:SWE) expanded their Bitcoin holdings today.

In a Monday announcement, The Blockchain Group said it acquired 116 BTC for about 10.7 million euros, bringing its total holdings to 1,904 BTC.

The Smarter Web Company announced its purchase of 226.42 BTC for 17.9 million pounds, bringing the company’s total to 1,000 BTC.

SEC’s crypto ETF guidance signals mainstream shift

The US Securities and Exchange Commission took a major step toward regulating crypto exchange-traded products with its first formal guidance on crypto ETP disclosures, according to a Reuters analysis.

Issued last week, the 12 page document issues new guidance, stating firms should describe risks and custody arrangements in “plain English.” The document could speed up approval of dozens of new crypto ETFs tied to a variety of coins, including Solana, XRP and even Trump’s meme coin, Reuters states.

Anonymous insiders told Reuters the SEC is also developing a more standardized listing rule to replace the case-by-case exemptions that currently delay launches. That change could shrink approval timelines from 240 days to as little as 75.

Musk’s America Party goes all-in on Bitcoin, calls fiat ‘hopeless’

Elon Musk confirmed that his newly formed America Party will officially embrace Bitcoin after declaring that “fiat is hopeless” in a post on X.

The move follows Musk’s earlier hints at increasing his own Bitcoin exposure and praising Bitcoin as a hedge against traditional currency.

Musk was a significant figure in Trump’s reelection campaign and even headed the Department of Government Efficiency before splitting with Trump over his budget bill and creating the America Party.

The shift could inject more digital asset discussions into US politics as Musk tries to build a third-party movement.

Despite hype from Dogecoin supporters, no plans for DOGE adoption were announced.

Metaplanet boosts Bitcoin stash past 15,500 BTC

Japan’s Metaplanet (OTCQX:MTPLF,TSE:3350) disclosed this week that it purchased another 2,205 BTC at an average price of 15.64 million yen per coin, spending around US$213 million.

This purchase brings the firm’s total bitcoin holdings to 15,555 BTC, making Metaplanet one of the world’s largest corporate holders of the asset.

The company tracks a proprietary metric called BTC Yield, measuring the effect of share dilution on per-share bitcoin value.

For the second quarter, Metaplanet reported a BTC yield of 95.6 percent, down from 309.8 percent the previous quarter, but still strong enough to highlight aggressive growth.

Metaplanet’s total BTC investment now tops US$1.38 billion.

1. Onyx Gold (TSXV:ONYX)

Year-to-date gain: 846.34 percent
Market cap: C$122.48 million
Share price: C$1.94

Onyx Gold is an exploration company advancing its Munro-Croesus project, located near Timmins in Ontario, Canada. The company has increased the size of the land package by 200 percent between 2020 and 2025, and the project now covers an area of 109 square kilometers.

Munro-Croesus hosts the historic Croesus mine, which produced 14,859 ounces of gold between 1915 and 1936 with an average grade of 95.3 grams per metric ton (g/t). Onyx is the first company to explore the property since the mine closed.

Shares in Onyx have had significant gains in the second quarter of 2025. The momentum came as the company announced option agreements to enlarge its land package at Munro-Croesus.

The first announcement came on April 10, when it stated that it had agreed with private vendors to acquire a 21 hectare patented claim near the Argus North zone. Under the terms of the agreement, Onyx has the option to acquire a 100 percent interest in the property, which has never been drilled, in exchange for cash consideration of C$1.5 million and 3.3 million Onyx shares over a three-year period.

The second acquisition was announced on June 24, when Onyx reported that it signed a mineral property purchase and sale agreement to acquire a 100 percent interest in the Munro and Hewitt properties, both located near the existing Munro-Croesus project. The acquisition will expand the company’s land package from 95 to 109 square kilometers.

Alongside its land consolidations, Onyx has also spent the second quarter advancing exploration at the property.

Most recently, on June 26, the company reported the first drill results from its 10,000 meter spring drill program at the Argus North zone at Munro-Croesus. One highlighted assay contained 1.8 grams per metric ton (g/t) gold over 91 meters, including 4 g/t over 32 meters and 5.3 g/t over 17 meters.

The company said the results demonstrate the continuity of broad zones of high-grade gold mineralization.

Shares in Onyx reached a year-to-date high of C$2.09 on June 27.

2. Goldgroup Mining (TSXV:GGA)

Year-to-date gain: 500 percent
Market cap: C$217.34 million
Share price: C$0.99

Goldgroup Mining is a gold production, development and exploration company working to advance its Cerro Prieto heap-leach gold mine. The 4,335 hectare property, located in Sonora, Mexico, produces an annual average of 11,500 ounces of gold and has produced more than 120,000 ounces since its beginning in March 2013.

Goldgroup is currently working to double the capacity of the mine to more than 25,000 ounces per year. The last update on progress came in October 2024, when it announced that it had installed the primary crusher with a 2,200 metric ton per day throughput. It also said it had expanded pumping and irrigation capacity.

The most recent update on Cerro Prieto came on March 26, when Goldgroup announced high-impact exploration near the mine. The program will include 6,000 meters of diamond drilling focused on the Nuevo Esperanza and Reyna zones, which are next to the main Esperanza production zone.

The company also announced plans for an induced polarization geophysical survey and surface trenching 1 kilometer south of the mine to further investigate newly discovered mineralized zones.

In addition to activities at Cerro Prieto, the company announced on March 7 that it had entered an agreement to acquire Minera Apolo and its Pinos gold project from Candeleria Mining in exchange for settling a US$2.7 million loan facility. Goldgroup previously secured rights to the facility with Candeleria from a creditor group in a maneuver to acquire the project.

Pinos is a fully permitted gold project situated in the Zacatecas mining belt of Northern Mexico and comprises 29 concessions over 3,816 hectares. A 2018 PEA revealed an after-tax net present value of US$12 million, with a 25 percent internal rate of return at a gold price of US$1,250 per ounce.

Shares in Goldgroup reached a year-to-date high of C$1.08 on May 9.

3. Trident Resources (TSXV:ROCK)

Year-to-date gain: 400 percent
Market cap: C$19.62 million
Share price: C$0.75

Trident Resources, formerly Eros Resources, is a gold and copper exploration company focused on projects in Saskatchewan, Canada.

A three-way merger in early 2025 between Eros Resources, MAS Gold and Rockridge Resources, allowed the companies to consolidate a portfolio of assets in Saskatchewan, including the Contact Lake and Greywacke gold projects in the La Ronge gold belt as well as the Knife Lake copper project.

Before this year, Eros was focused on the Bell Mountain gold-silver project in Nevada, US, but on January 6, the company announced it had sold the property to Lincoln Gold Mining (TSXV:LMG) in exchange for up to 4.5 million common shares and a net profits interest of 7.5 percent of net returns from gold and silver produced at the project to a maximum of US$2 million.

The company announced its rebranding from Eros to Trident on April 23, with its new name chosen in part to represent the three companies joining together. In the release, the company stated that the rebrand marked the beginning of a new chapter for the company, underscoring its focus on the gold and copper markets.

On May 6, Trident announced it received drill permits for the Contact Lake project, marking the first project news following the rebrand.

Trident stated the drill program would be conducted over the summer and consist of approximately 5,000 meters, with 3,800 meters to be carried out at the Contact Lake deposit and 1,200 meters at the Preview SW deposit.

Shares in Trident reached a year-to-date high of C$0.75 on July 3.

4. Solstice Gold (TSXV:SGC)

Year-to-date gain: 333 percent
Market cap: C$15.28 million
Share price: C$0.065

Solstice Gold is an exploration company focused on advancing its flagship Strathy gold project in Ontario, which it acquired in June 2024.

The project consists of 45 claims covering an area of 45 square kilometers in the Temagami Greenstone belt. Historical documents report six gold showings in the central portion of the project areas, with documented mineralization at the Leckie prospect.

On January 15, Solstice announced results from an induced polarization survey of the property. It identified 50 new targets, with the highest priority targets being along strike on the Leckie Fault. The company stated that the results support the existence of an extensive, largely unexplored system, with potential for multiple discoveries.

Solstice said it had also been selected to receive a grant under the Ontario Junior Exploration Program from the provincial government. The grant will provide 50 percent of the exploration funding, up to a maximum of C$194,000.

Shares in Solstice gained early in the year following its January 20 announcement that Michael Gentile had increased his stake in Solstice to 16.76 percent, making him the single largest shareholder.

In its latest project update on July 2, Solstice announced it had wrapped up its spring drill program, which focused on four target areas. In total, the company completed 3,125 meters of drilling across 14 holes, and results are expected in July.

The company reported that it had entered into an agreement to acquire 17 additional claims, which would increase the project area by 50 percent. It added that targets identified from its IP program may extend along strike into these claims.

Shares in Solstice reached a year-to-date high of C$0.065 on June 27.

5. Lahontan Gold (TSXV:LG)

Year-to-date gain: 300 percent
Market cap: C$28.49 million
Share price: C$0.10

Lahontan Gold is a development and exploration company dedicated to advancing a portfolio of properties in Nevada, United States.

Its primary focus is on its flagship Santa Fe gold-silver project in Walker Lane. The property consists of 291 unpatented lode mining claims, 67 unpatented mill site claims, and 24 patented lode mining claims, covering a land package of 26.4 square kilometers.

On January 24, the company released a PEA for the project that demonstrated an after-tax net present value of US$56.5 million with an internal rate of return of 17.4 percent over a payback period of 4.24 years based on a gold price of US$2,025 per ounce.

The included MRE for the site reports an indicated resource of 1.44 million ounces of gold and 11.2 million ounces of silver from 48.39 million metric tons of ore at an average grade of 0.92 g/t gold and 7.18 g/t silver. It also hosts an inferred resource of 401,000 ounces of gold and 1.75 million ounces of silver from 16.76 million metric tons at a grade of 0.74 g/t gold and 3.25 g/t silver.

The most recent news from Lahontan was on March 18, when it provided an update on its Exploration Plan of Operation submitted to the Bureau of Land Management in November 2024. In the release, the company stated it expects the Bureau to approve the plan, allowing permitting to proceed to the National Environmental Policy Act phase. According to Lahontan, final approval is on track for late 2025.

In the meantime, Lahontan stated that it would be able to continue exploration drilling at its patented mining claims under a Notice of Intent (NOI). On May 6, the company filed a new NOI for additional drilling at the site that would target extensions in the Slab and York areas of the project, and the BLM approved it on June 9.

Additionally, the company announced on June 24 that it had started metallurgical test work at Santa Fe with the goal of substantially improving CN leach gold recoveries for transition materials compared to the 49 percent recovery in the PEA.

Shares in Lahontan reached a year-to-date high of C$0.105 on June 25.