Leeuwin Metals (ASX: LM1) has commenced high-impact drilling at the Marda gold project in Western Australia as part of its strategy to continue growing the resource and making new discoveries.
The 5,000 metre reverse circulation program will focus on extending the project’s maiden mineral resource estimate of 2.1 million tonnes at 1.1 grams per tonne gold for 73,800 ounces (indicated) and 8.1Mt at 1.03g/t gold for 268,500oz (inferred).
It will also test new and under-explored high-grade trends where previous rock chip sampling returned peak gold assays of 209g/t, 62.4g/t, 49.2g/t and 40.6g/t.
These include Atkinson Find—which yielded rock chip results of more than 10g/t gold from a historic workings sample—as well as Allens Find, where previous assays from a historic state battery site peaked at 18.55g/t and 11g/t gold, and 11 north-to-south trends with limited prior drill testing.
DHEM Anomalies Identified
Further work programs have also been planned to advance several other targets within the project area including downhole electromagnetic (DHEM) anomalies identified at Evanston and Golden Orb.
Evanston hosts a total 4.3Mt at 0.98g/t gold for 135,800oz above a 0.3g/t cut-off grade, including a higher-grade component of 2Mt at 1.52g/t for 96,400oz above a cut-off of 0.8g/t.
Golden Orb contributes an inferred resource of 0.5Mt at 1.56g/t gold for 25,700oz gold.
Executive chair Christopher Piggott said the company was looking forward to the drilling results.
“With the Marda existing resource as a base, plus 11 under-drilled structural trends, prior rock chip anomalism at Atkinson Find and Allens Find, and newly-defined DHEM anomalies at Evanston and Golden Orb, we believe this program is well-positioned to deliver meaningful exploration outcomes,” he said.
Advanced Exploration Asset
Leeuwin regards Marda as an advanced exploration asset with significant near-term potential, and aims to leverage its strategic location, granted mining leases, and broader tenement position that includes mining, exploration and prospecting licences.
Located near Southern Cross in the mid-south of WA, the project is positioned close to existing infrastructure, supporting efficient field operations and future development options.
Leeuwin reported a maiden resource at Marda just nine months after acquiring the project from Ramelius Resources (ASX: RMS), following the completion of comprehensive drilling, geophysics, and geochemistry programs.
Mr Piggott said that Leeuwin was well-funded to conduct the upcoming program and would report the results in due course.
