Dart Mining has announced a substantial Exploration Target at its Triumph Gold Project in Central Queensland, outlining a promising growth pathway beyond its existing resource base. The target highlights both near prospect extensions and new regional deposits, setting the stage for an extensive drilling campaign.
- Exploration Target of 5.1–7.6 million tonnes at 1.72–2.52 g/t gold
- Base case estimates 6.9Mt at 2.29 g/t Au for 506,800 ounces
- Adds to existing JORC Mineral Resource of 2.16Mt at 2.17 g/t Au (150,000oz)
- Approximately 80% of target within open pit depths (<200m), 20% underground
- Planned 30,000m drilling program to confirm and expand resource
Exploration Target Defines New Growth Horizon
Dart Mining NL has taken a significant step forward at its flagship Triumph Gold Project, located 80km south of Gladstone in Central Queensland, by defining a maiden Exploration Target that substantially expands the project's potential gold inventory. The target ranges from 5.1 to 7.6 million tonnes grading between 1.72 and 2.52 grams per tonne gold, translating to an estimated 285,100 to 613,200 ounces of gold. The company’s base case scenario sits at 6.9 million tonnes at 2.29 g/t gold, or approximately 506,800 ounces.
This Exploration Target is a strategic addition to the previously declared JORC Mineral Resource of 2.16 million tonnes at 2.17 g/t gold, which accounts for 150,000 ounces. Importantly, 90% of the new target lodes lie within 500 metres of the existing resource, indicating strong geological continuity and a clear pathway for resource growth through infill drilling.
Geological Context and Quality of Data
The Triumph Project is an intrusion-related gold system hosted within the Norton Tonalite, a complex granitoid body known for its gold mineralisation. The Exploration Target is underpinned by robust drilling data, including 216 drill hole intercepts outside the current resource estimate, with an average of five drill holes per new lode. This level of data density, while previously considered too sparse for a formal resource declaration, now provides a solid foundation for targeted exploration and resource conversion.
Approximately 80% of the ounces in the Exploration Target are classified as open pit targets at depths less than 200 metres, with the remaining 20% representing underground potential. Dart’s recent deep drilling has already indicated promising high-grade zones at depth, suggesting that the underground component could be a significant growth area in future resource updates.
Strategic Exploration and Next Steps
To validate and expand this Exploration Target, Dart Mining plans a substantial 30,000-metre drilling program. This campaign will focus on both near prospect extensions; such as New Constitution, South Constitution, Big Hans, Super Hans, and Bald Hill; and regional targets including historically mined areas like Advance, Galena-Brigham Young, and new bulk tonnage targets at Handbrake Hill and Chief Adachi.
Chairman James Chirnside emphasised the value of the Exploration Target as a guide for the company’s exploration strategy, highlighting its comparable grade to the existing resource and the potential for significant resource growth. The company is also mindful of environmental and regulatory considerations, with exploration activities planned up to but not within the adjacent National Park boundaries.
Market and Development Implications
With gold markets showing strength and evolution, the Triumph Gold Project positions itself as a key prospective development asset in Central Queensland. The combination of a robust Exploration Target and an existing Mineral Resource exceeding 150,000 ounces suggests that Triumph could scale to over 650,000 ounces of gold, pending successful drilling and resource conversion.
Dart Mining’s methodical approach, leveraging detailed geological modelling and comprehensive assay data, reflects a disciplined growth strategy. The company’s focus on cost-effective ounces conversion and potential mining scenarios underscores its commitment to advancing Triumph towards development readiness.
Bottom Line?
Dart Mining’s substantial Exploration Target at Triumph sets a promising stage for resource growth, but the path to a defined Mineral Resource and economic viability remains to be proven through upcoming drilling.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the planned 30,000m drilling program prioritize lodes for resource conversion?
- What is the potential scale and grade of the underground targets beyond 200m depth?
- How might environmental and regulatory constraints near the National Park affect exploration and development timelines?