Patronus Resources has confirmed the down-plunge continuation of high-grade gold mineralisation at its Koi Exploration Target within the Cardinia Gold Project, supporting a substantial Exploration Target and reinforcing growth potential below the Mertondale 3-4 deposit.
- Diamond drilling confirms 180m strike length of high-grade Koi lode
- Significant intercepts include 6m at 2.78g/t gold from 270m depth
- Exploration Target estimated between 150-800koz gold at 1.5-4.0g/t grade
- Mineralisation remains open along strike and down-plunge
- Follow-up drilling planned for Q3 2025 to define continuity
Exploration Update at Cardinia Gold Project
Patronus Resources (ASX: PTN) has delivered encouraging results from its recent diamond drilling program at the Koi Exploration Target, part of the 1 million ounce Cardinia Gold Project in Western Australia’s Leonora district. The latest four diamond drill holes, totaling 1,283 metres, have confirmed the down-plunge continuation of a high-grade gold lode, extending the strike length to 180 metres and remaining open for further expansion.
The standout intercept from hole MT25DD001 returned 6 metres at 2.78 grams per tonne gold from 270 metres depth, located 75 metres north along strike from a previously reported 12.82 metres at 3.28 grams per tonne. These results reinforce the potential for significant resource growth below the recently upgraded Mertondale 3-4 deposit, which currently holds 241,000 ounces of gold at 1.7 grams per tonne.
Substantial Exploration Target and Growth Potential
The Koi Exploration Target is estimated to contain between 150,000 and 800,000 ounces of gold at grades ranging from 1.5 to 4.0 grams per tonne. While still conceptual and requiring further drilling to convert to a Mineral Resource, these results highlight the strong upside potential in this shallowly north-plunging shoot within the Mertondale East Shear Zone.
Managing Director John Ingram emphasised the significance of the findings, noting that the drilling confirms multiple intercepts grading above 5 gram metres and demonstrates robust depth potential. He also pointed to ongoing exploration at the Merlin prospect, immediately north of Koi, where recent reverse circulation drilling assays are awaited.
Technical Rigor and Next Steps
The drilling program employed industry-standard diamond core techniques with rigorous quality control, including photon assay analysis at NATA-accredited laboratories. The geological logging and sampling protocols ensure high confidence in the data supporting the Exploration Target.
Looking ahead, Patronus plans to commence follow-up diamond drilling in the September quarter of 2025 to better define the strike, dip, and plunge continuity of the Koi mineralisation. This targeted approach aims to further delineate underground development opportunities beneath the Mertondale 3-4 pit.
These developments come on the back of a recent Mineral Resource Estimate upgrade at Mertondale, underscoring Patronus Resources’ strategic focus on expanding its gold footprint in the highly prospective North-Eastern Goldfields region of Western Australia.
Bottom Line?
With high-grade gold mineralisation extending and remaining open, Patronus Resources is poised for further resource growth at Cardinia.
Questions in the middle?
- Will follow-up drilling confirm the upper range of the Koi Exploration Target?
- How will assay results from the Merlin prospect influence overall resource potential?
- What are the implications for potential underground mining beneath Mertondale 3-4?