Untested EM Targets at Maniopota Pose Both Opportunity and Exploration Risk for Ballymore

Survey Unveils New Exploration Frontiers

Ballymore Resources (ASX – BMR) has announced compelling results from a detailed heli-borne electromagnetic (EM) survey conducted over its Maniopota prospect, part of the Ruddygore Project in North Queensland. Supported by a $300,000 grant from the Queensland State Government, the SkyTEM survey has identified 29 discrete conductive anomalies, many of which remain untested by drilling. These anomalies correlate strongly with skarn alteration zones and polymetallic geochemical signatures, including copper, lead, zinc, silver, and gold.

Historic Context and Geological Significance

The Maniopota prospect lies within the prolific Palmerville Fault Corridor, a structural zone that hosts major historic mines such as Red Dome and Mungana, which collectively produced millions of ounces of gold and significant base metals. Ballymore’s fieldwork has confirmed extensive hydrothermal systems and skarn alteration over a 22-kilometre footprint, suggesting that Maniopota could be part of the same mineralising system responsible for these renowned deposits.

Historic drilling at Maniopota, although limited and mostly vertical, returned encouraging shallow intersections including 3 metres at 10.72% lead and 20.63% zinc, and 8 metres at 4.4% lead, 15.5% zinc, 20 grams per tonne silver, and 0.21 grams per tonne gold. However, these programs did not test the newly identified EM targets, leaving significant exploration upside.

Advanced Geophysical Techniques Enhance Targeting

The SkyTEM system used in the survey offers high-resolution conductivity imaging capable of detecting semi-massive to massive sulphide accumulations at depth. Data processing and conductor plate modelling by specialist consultants have refined the anomalies into priority drill targets, with the MAN03 anomaly highlighted as a particularly compelling late-time conductor coincident with magnetic and geochemical anomalies. Ballymore’s Managing Director, David A-Izzeddin, emphasised the novelty of applying modern geophysical techniques to an area not surveyed in over 50 years, underscoring the potential for discovering “blind” sulphide mineralisation.

Looking Ahead – Drilling and Exploration Plans

With the survey data in hand, Ballymore is preparing for a comprehensive drilling campaign in 2025 aimed at testing these high-priority EM targets. The company’s strategy includes further geological mapping, geochemical sampling, and ground geophysics to complement the airborne data. This integrated approach aims to unlock the polymetallic potential of Maniopota and surrounding prospects within the Ruddygore Project.

The combination of historic mining legacy, strong geophysical anomalies, and high-grade rock chip samples (up to 22.2% copper, 31.2% lead, 13.8% zinc, 1.07 g/t gold, and 585 g/t silver) positions Ballymore well to advance its exploration objectives in a region with proven mineral endowment.