Can Legacy Minerals Unlock Thomson’s Hidden Gold-Copper Potential Amid Historic Near-Misses?
Legacy Minerals has resumed drilling at its expansive Thomson Project in NSW, focusing on the promising Cut-B anomaly after completing work on the F4 anomaly. Early results and historical data suggest a significant intrusion-related gold-copper system with high-grade mineralisation potential.
- Drilling recommenced targeting Cut-B anomaly after F4 completion
- Historical drilling revealed high-grade gold, silver, copper, and niobium
- Project spans 5,500 km² with multiple coincident magnetic and gravity anomalies
- Geological similarities to major Australian intrusion-related gold-copper districts
- Pending assay results from recent F4 drilling expected in 6-8 weeks
Drilling Resumes at Thomson Project
Legacy Minerals Holdings Limited (ASX: LGM) has announced the recommencement of drilling activities at its Thomson Project, located in far north-west New South Wales. Following the completion of drilling at the F4 anomaly, the company is now focusing its efforts on the Cut-B anomaly, a target defined by coincident elevated magnetic and gravity data, which are key indicators of potential mineralisation.
Historical and Recent Exploration Highlights
Historical drilling at the Cut-B anomaly in 2011 intersected approximately 300 metres of alteration with notable high-grade mineralisation, including 1 metre at 6.73 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 370 metres, and significant silver, niobium, copper, zinc, and tin values. These results were achieved despite previous explorers focusing primarily on magnetic anomalies and overlooking the gravity anomaly, which Legacy Minerals now targets as a sign of dense, sulphide-rich intrusive systems.
Recent drilling at the F4 anomaly has concluded, with initial observations indicating that the magnetic feature is caused by hydrothermal pyrrhotite-bearing quartz veins. Assay results from this drilling are pending and expected within 6 to 8 weeks, potentially providing further insights into the mineralisation style and grade.
A Large-Scale Discovery Opportunity
The Thomson Project covers an extensive 5,500 square kilometre area, hosting numerous 'bullseye' magnetic and gravity anomalies that remain largely untested. The geological setting is comparable to other world-class intrusion-related gold-copper districts in Australia, such as the Paterson Province, home to major deposits like Winu and Havieron. Legacy Minerals’ CEO, Christopher Byrne, emphasised the project's scale and the advanced understanding of intrusion-related systems gained since the initial 2011 drilling, which enhances the potential for a significant discovery.
Strategic Context and Next Steps
The Thomson Project lies near the southern margin of the Thomson Orogen, adjacent to the Lachlan Fold Belt and Delamerian Orogen, regions known for their rich mineral endowment. The project’s basement rocks, covered by younger sedimentary sequences, have historically deterred exploration but are now accessible through modern geophysical techniques. Legacy Minerals is leveraging this advantage to explore dense, sulphide-rich intrusive systems that could host substantial gold and copper mineralisation.
Further sampling and assays are planned, particularly targeting sections of drill holes not previously sampled, to refine the understanding of mineralisation distribution. The company also notes the recent acquisition of a historical royalty by Red Hill Minerals over part of the Thomson Project, underscoring the area's perceived value.
As assay results from the F4 anomaly and ongoing drilling at Cut-B become available, market participants will be keenly watching for confirmation of the project's potential to deliver a major new gold-copper discovery in NSW.
Bottom Line?
Legacy Minerals’ drilling campaign at Thomson is entering a critical phase, with upcoming assay results poised to either validate or challenge the project's world-class discovery potential.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the pending F4 anomaly assay results confirm high-grade mineralisation?
- How extensive and continuous are the mineralised zones at the Cut-B anomaly?
- What impact will further sampling and drilling have on the project’s resource potential?
