# Australian gold exploration activity > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/australian-gold-exploration-activity > Updated: 2026-10-12T09:21:00.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2. The Australian gold mining sector is experiencing a period of increased activity, marked by rising exploration expenditures and significant drilling milestones. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicates that exploration spending in the gold sector rose by 23.6% in the second quarter of 2026, totaling 565.6 million AUD. Individual companies are reporting various technical successes. WA Gold Limited completed a high-resolution geophysical survey at its Bullabulling Project in Western Australia, identifying several magnetometric conductivity anomalies. In South Australia, Marmota extended the strike distance of gold mineralization to over two kilometers following a 32,085-metre drilling campaign at its Greenewood and Mainwood discoveries. Additionally, Barton Gold is advancing its Tunkillia project in South Australia. Following a 39,000-meter drilling program, the company reported high-grade intercepts and is currently revising its mineralization model to support an upcoming Pre-Feasibility Study. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-12: Australia gold mining sector sees rising exploration activity Australia's gold sector sees rising exploration spending, with Barton Gold reporting strong high-grade drilling results at its Tunkillia project in South Australia. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/australia-gold-mining-sector-sees-rising-exploration-activity ### 2026-10-12: Australian gold explorers report significant drilling and survey milestones WA Gold identified 4km of new anomalies at its Bullabulling Project, while Marmota completed a 32,000m drilling campaign in South Australia. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/australian-gold-explorers-report-significant-drilling-and-survey-milestones --- Cite as: Australian gold exploration activity. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/australian-gold-exploration-activity