Dittmer Drilling Yields Multiple High-Grade Intercepts Above 10 g/t Gold
Ballymore Resources has reported exceptional high-grade gold intersections from its ongoing Stage 5 underground drilling at the Dittmer Project, reinforcing the potential of a large gold system in North Queensland.
- Multiple drill holes confirm continuity of high-grade Duffer Lode extension
- Assay highlights include 0.3m at 99.8 g/t and 0.8m at 48.16 g/t gold
- Application underway for expanded mining lease to enable underground access
- Drilling supports remnant ore zones untouched by historic mining
- Further assay results expected within 2-3 weeks
Exceptional Grades Confirmed at Dittmer
Ballymore Resources (ASX:BMR) has unveiled compelling assay results from its Stage 5 underground drilling program at the Dittmer Project in North Queensland. The latest assays reinforce the continuity and exceptional grade of the Duffer Lode extension, a historically significant gold-bearing structure. Among the standout results are intervals such as 0.3 metres grading 99.8 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 0.8 metres at 48.16 g/t, underscoring the potential for bonanza-grade mineralisation.
Drilling Validates Geological Model and Untapped Potential
All nine holes completed so far in 2025 have intersected the targeted lode structure, with significant quartz-pyrite-chalcopyrite veining observed, consistent with Ballymore’s geological interpretation. Notably, drill holes DTDD053 and DTDD054 have revealed extensions to the original Mine Lode that appear to have escaped historic mining efforts, hinting at remnant high-grade ore zones. This discovery could materially enhance the project's resource base once fully delineated.
Mining Lease Expansion Advances
Parallel to the drilling success, Ballymore is progressing an application for a larger mining lease encompassing the granted lease area. This expansion, currently before the Land Court, would facilitate the extension of underground workings and enable drilling from underground platforms. Such access is expected to be more cost-effective and environmentally considerate compared to surface drilling, potentially accelerating resource definition and development.
Strategic Plans and Upcoming Milestones
Looking ahead, Ballymore plans to complete the Stage 5 drilling program imminently, with assay results from holes DTDD055 to DTDD057 anticipated in the next two to three weeks. The company also aims to finalize metallurgical testwork and advance preliminary mining scoping studies during 2025. These efforts are critical steps toward establishing an initial Mineral Resource estimate and assessing the project's economic viability.
Context Within Queensland’s Rich Gold Belt
Dittmer sits within a prolific gold province in northeast Queensland, home to several multi-million-ounce deposits. Ballymore’s exploration success here adds to the region’s reputation for hosting structurally complex, high-grade gold systems. The company’s methodical approach, combining underground drilling with lease expansion and metallurgical evaluation, positions it well to unlock value from this historically mined but underexplored district.
Bottom Line?
As Ballymore advances drilling and regulatory approvals, the Dittmer Project’s bonanza grades could soon translate into a significant new gold resource.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the Land Court approve the expanded mining lease application, and on what timeline?
- How will upcoming metallurgical results influence the project's processing strategy and economics?
- What is the potential scale and grade continuity of the remnant Mine Lode extensions identified?
