Here’s a bold statement: the future of gold mining in Australia might just hinge on projects like Great Boulder Resources’ Side Well Gold Project. But here’s where it gets controversial—while some see it as a golden opportunity, others question the sustainability of expanding mining operations in such a resource-rich region. Let’s dive in.
Great Boulder Resources (https://www.greatboulder.com.au/) (ASX:GBR) is making waves in the mining industry by ramping up efforts to expand the known resource at its Side Well Gold Project, nestled near Meekatharra in Western Australia. The plan? Restart drilling to unlock even more of the project’s potential. And this is the part most people miss—the project already boasts a substantial resource of 16 million tonnes grading 2 grams per tonne, totaling 1.02 million ounces of gold, with 61% classified as indicated resources. What’s more, a staggering 90% of this resource is prime for open-pit mining, making it both accessible and cost-effective.
Within the broader Side Well resource lies the Mulga Bill deposit, a standout asset with a reported 642,000 ounces of gold. Of this, 441,000 ounces grade an impressive 5.3g/t, as highlighted by Mining.com.au (https://mining.com.au/great-boulder-increases-side-wells-resources/). Great Boulder isn’t slowing down—they’re currently operating three rigs across the project, focusing on deep diamond drilling at Mulga Bill to uncover even more of its hidden treasures.
In a thrilling development, Great Boulder intersected visible gold in a brecciated quartz vein at Mulga Bill in December 2025, with coarse gold spotted from a depth of 503.5 meters. This discovery, reported by Mining.com.au (https://mining.com.au/great-boulder-hits-visible-gold-at-mulga-bill/), underscores the project’s untapped potential.
Managing Director Andrew Paterson is confident, stating that the company has gathered “overwhelming evidence” to justify a significant resource upgrade. He emphasizes, “The mineralization is open in so many directions, and our project’s under-explored nature was vividly demonstrated by the exceptional gold intersection found 250 meters below previous drilling at Mulga Bill last year.” Paterson adds, “Expanding the resource not only boosts shareholder value but also opens up more avenues for future development. With gold prices soaring to record highs and three mills nearby, Side Well is a standout project in one of Australia’s most promising gold regions.”
Strategically located in the Meekatharra gold field, the Side Well Gold Project is Great Boulder’s flagship venture, sitting adjacent to Westgold Resources’ (https://www.westgold.com.au/) (ASX:WGX) Paddy’s Flat operation. As a mineral exploration company with a portfolio of gold and base metals assets in Western Australia, Great Boulder is poised to make a significant impact in the industry.
Now, here’s a thought-provoking question: As mining operations expand in regions like Meekatharra, how can we balance resource extraction with environmental sustainability? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your perspective.
For more insights, reach out to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au (https://mining.com.au/).
Images: Great Boulder Resources
