Maiden Drilling at Gidginbung Yields 5m at 11.97g/t Gold and 0.57% Copper
LinQ Minerals reports standout maiden drilling results at its Gidginbung Gold Project, revealing significant high-grade gold and copper mineralisation that could reshape the Gilmore Project’s prospects.
- Maiden drilling yields 5m at 11.97g/t gold and 0.57% copper
- System remains open along strike and down dip
- Follow-up drilling planned following strong initial results
- Concurrent drilling underway at nearby Dam porphyry Cu-Au deposit
- Gilmore Project hosts 516Mt JORC resource with ~3.7Moz gold and ~1.2Mt copper
Breakthrough Drilling at Gidginbung
LinQ Minerals Limited (ASX – LNQ) has delivered its most compelling exploration update in over two decades with maiden drilling results from the Gidginbung Gold Project, part of its flagship Gilmore Project in New South Wales. The initial reverse circulation drilling program has intercepted exceptionally high-grade gold and copper mineralisation, including a standout 5 metres grading 11.97 grams per tonne gold and 0.57% copper in hole GBRCD010. These results mark the strongest gold intercepts recorded at Gidginbung in 25 years, signaling renewed potential for this brownfields site.
Encouraging Continuity and Open Mineralisation
The drilling campaign, comprising 10 reverse circulation holes totaling 2,700 metres, has confirmed the continuity of wide, moderate to steep east-dipping gold mineralisation that may be amenable to open pit mining. Notably, the system remains open both along strike to the north and south, as well as down dip, suggesting that the mineralised zones could extend beyond current drill coverage. Additional diamond tail drilling has been completed, with assay results pending, which will provide further clarity on the deposit’s depth and grade continuity.
Strategic Expansion and Regional Context
LinQ is simultaneously advancing drilling at the adjacent Dam porphyry copper-gold deposit, less than one kilometre east of Gidginbung. This parallel program aims to delineate the higher-grade gold-copper core and supports metallurgical test work critical for future development. The Gilmore Project, situated within the highly prospective Macquarie Arc province of the Lachlan Fold Belt, is home to multiple large-scale mines and hosts a global JORC Mineral Resource Estimate of 516 million tonnes containing approximately 3.7 million ounces of gold and 1.2 million tonnes of copper. This positions LinQ as a significant player in one of Australia’s premier gold-copper provinces.
Management’s Perspective and Market Implications
Executive Chair Clive Donner expressed strong optimism about the results, highlighting the consistent shallow, high-grade, and wide intercepts as a promising foundation for the next phase of exploration. With gold prices continuing to reach record highs, LinQ’s exposure to both gold and copper markets enhances its leverage to commodity cycles. The company anticipates significant news flow in the near term as pending assays and ongoing drilling results become available.
Looking Ahead
While the initial results are highly encouraging, the true scale and economic viability of the Gidginbung deposit will depend on forthcoming assay data from diamond drilling and further exploration. The company’s methodical approach to confirming mineralisation continuity and expanding its resource base will be closely watched by investors seeking exposure to high-grade gold and copper assets in a proven mining jurisdiction.
Bottom Line?
LinQ Minerals’ breakthrough at Gidginbung sets the stage for a pivotal exploration phase that could redefine its resource potential amid soaring gold and copper markets.
Questions in the middle?
- How will pending diamond drilling assays impact the overall resource estimate at Gidginbung?
- What are the potential timelines and targets for the planned follow-up drilling campaigns?
- How might these results influence LinQ’s strategic positioning within the competitive Macquarie Arc region?