Ballymore Strikes High-Grade Lead-Zinc at Historic Torpy’s Mine

Historic Mine, Modern Exploration

Ballymore Resources has made a promising start to its maiden reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign at the long-dormant Torpy’s silver-lead-zinc mine near Chillagoe, Queensland. The project, part of Ballymore’s broader Ruddygore portfolio, has not seen drilling since the late 1970s, making these results particularly significant for the company and the region.

The latest drill hole, BTPRC004, intersected a substantial 29-metre zone containing an estimated 10% sphalerite (zinc ore) and 5% galena (lead ore), including a higher-grade 15-metre section with 20% sphalerite and 10% galena. These visual estimates, while preliminary and awaiting laboratory confirmation, reinforce Ballymore’s geological model that mineralisation is concentrated in structural “shoots” at the intersection of two major faults.

Strategic Pause and Next Steps

Following these encouraging intersections, Ballymore has temporarily paused drilling at Torpy’s to conduct downhole electromagnetic (EM) surveys. These surveys aim to better delineate the extent of the massive sulphide lenses and identify additional targets for follow-up drilling. This methodical approach underscores the company’s commitment to precision and resource definition before advancing further drilling.

Meanwhile, Ballymore is set to commence drilling at the Maniopota prospect, located approximately 12 kilometres west of Torpy’s. Maniopota is a polymetallic skarn system with historical workings and high-grade surface samples, including notable copper, lead, zinc, gold, and silver values. This nearby target offers a complementary opportunity to expand Ballymore’s base and precious metals footprint in the region.

Broader Portfolio Momentum

Beyond Ruddygore, Ballymore continues development activities at its Dittmer project and drilling at the Seventy Mile Mount gold target near Charters Towers. The company’s diversified exploration strategy across multiple prolific Queensland mineral belts highlights its ambition to unlock value from a range of deposit styles, including porphyry copper-gold, skarn, and sediment-hosted massive sulphides.

Managing Director David A-Izzeddin expressed optimism about the results, noting that the intersections at Torpy’s support the geological model and suggest the potential for further high-grade lenses in the area. He also emphasized the importance of the downhole EM surveys in refining future drill targets and the excitement around the upcoming Maniopota drilling program.

Cautious Optimism

While the visual estimates of mineralisation are encouraging, Ballymore cautions that these should not be considered a substitute for laboratory assays, which are pending. The company also notes that the true widths of mineralised zones are yet to be determined, and drill hole locations are awaiting final survey confirmation. Nonetheless, these early results mark a positive step in Ballymore’s exploration journey at Torpy’s and the broader Ruddygore Project.