LCL Resources has extended the known gold-copper porphyry mineralisation at its Dada project in Papua New Guinea through new trenching and pit sampling, revealing promising grades and open-ended potential.
- Trench 8 returned 19m at 0.43g/t gold and 0.16% copper
- Pit samples up to 1.55g/t gold and 0.12% copper
- Mineralisation remains open along strike to east and west
- Project part of broader Liamu copper-gold exploration portfolio
- Further trenching and pitting planned to expand footprint
Exploration Progress at Dada
LCL Resources Limited (ASX, LCL) has reported encouraging results from its latest trenching and pit sampling program at the Dada project, located within the Liamu exploration licence in Papua New Guinea. The recent fieldwork, completed in April 2025, has extended the footprint of the known porphyry-style gold-copper stockwork mineralisation, confirming continuity and potential for further expansion.
The standout result from the program was from Trench 8, which returned 19 metres grading 0.43 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 0.16% copper. Complementing this, several pit samples yielded elevated gold grades up to 1.55 g/t with associated copper values around 0.12%. These results reinforce the presence of a significant mineralised system at surface, with mineralisation remaining open to both the east and west along strike.
Geological Context and Significance
The Dada prospect is interpreted as a porphyry gold-copper system hosted within multiple generations of mineralised intrusives, exhibiting characteristic stockwork veining and alteration. The project area has a historical soil anomaly measuring approximately 600 by 400 metres, which remains open-ended, suggesting the potential for a larger mineralised footprint than currently defined.
Executive Chairman Chris van Wijk highlighted the strength of alteration and veining observed during his recent site visit, noting that the causative intrusive body has yet to be intersected. This early-stage discovery phase is crucial, as identifying the main intrusive source could unlock higher-grade zones and guide future drilling campaigns.
Strategic Focus and Next Steps
LCL Resources is clearly prioritising copper-gold exploration in PNG, building on its recent maiden resource announcement at the Kusi Gold project and ongoing work at high-grade epithermal targets on the Ubei licence. The Dada results add a compelling new dimension to this portfolio, with the company planning further trenching and pitting to delineate the mineralisation footprint more comprehensively.
While no drilling results have yet been reported at Dada, the continuous surface mineralisation and open strike extensions provide a strong rationale for advancing to drilling in the near term. The company’s methodical approach, combining geochemical sampling with geological mapping, positions it well to refine targets and potentially define a resource in the coming phases.
Overall, the Dada project exemplifies the promise of early-stage exploration in underexplored regions of PNG, where porphyry systems can host significant copper and gold deposits. LCL’s ongoing work will be closely watched by investors seeking exposure to copper-gold growth stories in a favourable jurisdiction.
Bottom Line?
LCL’s expanding footprint at Dada signals a promising copper-gold system, but drilling will be key to unlocking its true potential.
Questions in the middle?
- When will LCL commence drilling to test the depth and continuity of mineralisation at Dada?
- What is the potential scale of the causative intrusive body yet to be identified?
- How might evolving copper and gold prices impact the project’s development timeline?