Hidden Shafts Revealed by LiDAR Signal New Exploration Risks and Rewards

Revolutionising Exploration with LiDAR

Great Divide Mining Ltd (ASX:GDM) has taken a significant step forward in its quest for gold at the Devils Mountain Project in southeast Queensland. By leveraging a high-resolution LiDAR dataset purchased from the Queensland Government, the company has uncovered a remarkable 204 historical mine workings across a 44 square kilometre area. This includes 12 adits, 7 shafts, and numerous other workings, many of which were previously unknown to the company.

LiDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing technology that uses laser pulses to penetrate dense vegetation and map the earth's surface with exceptional precision. At Devils Mountain, this technology has revealed shafts buried beneath thick forest cover, providing a clearer picture of the area's historic mining activity and potential gold mineralisation pathways.

Historical Workings Illuminate New Targets

The extensive network of old workings identified by GeoCloud Analytics, the specialists who conducted the LiDAR interpretation, confirms Devils Mountain as a highly prospective gold region. The concentration of shafts and adits, particularly around the Itchy Quid Gold Prospect where over 70 workings and 29 trenches were mapped, signals areas where significant mining effort was historically invested, often a strong indicator of valuable mineralisation.

These findings align with Great Divide Mining’s strategic approach: targeting zones with abundant historical workings and applying modern exploration techniques to unlock their potential. The LiDAR data also highlighted major structural corridors likely to have channelled gold-bearing fluids, further refining the focus for upcoming exploration.

Environmental and Operational Advantages

Beyond identifying mineral targets, the LiDAR survey has practical benefits for future operations. The detailed mapping of existing access tracks and drill pads allows Great Divide Mining to plan follow-up work with minimal environmental disturbance by reusing established infrastructure. This approach aligns with contemporary expectations for sustainable exploration practices.

Next Steps in Exploration

Building on the LiDAR insights, Great Divide Mining plans to conduct ground follow-up activities including detailed geological mapping, rock chip and soil sampling, and geophysical surveys. These steps aim to validate the new targets and define drill-ready prospects, particularly focusing on high-potential areas like Itchy Quid.

CEO Justin Haines emphasised the value of the LiDAR data, noting that the technology provides a more accurate understanding of historical mining and supports the company’s methodical exploration strategy. As Great Divide Mining advances its work at Devils Mountain, the integration of cutting-edge technology with historical data could accelerate the discovery of economically viable gold deposits.