LinQ Minerals has reported significant high-grade gold intersections extending mineralisation well beyond the Gidginbung open pit, confirming the system remains open for expansion. These results underpin plans for an expanded exploration campaign at the Gilmore Project in New South Wales.
- 21m @ 3.03 g/t Au Eq intersected 160m south of Gidginbung open pit
- Multiple high-grade gold lenses confirmed extending over 1km south and down dip
- Phase 1 drilling validates potential for substantial resource growth
- Gilmore Project hosts a global JORC Mineral Resource Estimate of 516Mt with ~3.7Moz Au and ~1.2Mt Cu
- Expanded exploration and metallurgical test work planned for 2026
Significant Step-Out Drilling Success
LinQ Minerals Limited (ASX – LNQ) has announced encouraging results from its recent drilling campaign at the Gidginbung Gold Project, part of the broader Gilmore Project in New South Wales. The standout intercept of 21 metres grading 3.03 grams per tonne gold equivalent (Au Eq) from 145 metres depth, located 160 metres south of the existing open pit, marks a meaningful extension of known mineralisation.
This intercept builds on previous step-out drilling 80 metres south of the pit, which also delivered robust grades, confirming the continuity of high-grade gold mineralisation along strike. The drilling results collectively demonstrate that the mineralised system remains open both along strike to the south and down dip beneath the pit, with potential extensions exceeding one kilometre.
Multiple Gold Lenses and Down Dip Potential
The exploration program has identified multiple subparallel gold lenses south of the pit, including a second lens confirmed by an 18-metre intercept at 0.69 g/t Au Eq from 291 metres depth. Drilling beneath the pit has also extended mineralisation down dip, with several intercepts ranging from 11 to 49 metres at grades between 0.5 and 2.26 g/t Au Eq.
These findings highlight the complex and extensive nature of the Gidginbung deposit, which is hosted within the highly prospective Macquarie Arc; a region known for its prolific porphyry copper-gold and epithermal gold systems. LinQ’s tenement package covers approximately 597 square kilometres, encompassing a 60-kilometre belt with over 20 known prospects and six mineral resource deposits.
Strategic Positioning and Next Steps
Executive Chair Clive Donner emphasised the strategic value of the Gilmore Project, noting its significant leverage to both gold and copper metals. The company’s global JORC Mineral Resource Estimate stands at 516 million tonnes containing approximately 3.7 million ounces of gold and 1.2 million tonnes of copper.
With phase 1 drilling completed at the nearby Dam Au-Cu deposit and assays pending, LinQ is preparing for a comprehensive exploration push across the Gilmore Project in early 2026. Plans include expanded drilling south of Gidginbung, where previous exploration was limited due to a Devonian sedimentary cover. The company is evaluating geophysical techniques to penetrate this cover and better target mineralisation extensions.
Additionally, LinQ is initiating metallurgical test work on representative diamond core samples from Gidginbung to assess processing characteristics, a critical step towards advancing the project’s development potential.
Context in a Premier Mining Province
The Gilmore Project sits within the Lachlan Fold Belt’s Macquarie Arc, Australia’s premier porphyry gold-copper province, home to major mines such as Cadia, Cowal, and Northparkes. LinQ’s holdings position it as a significant player in this prolific region, offering both brownfield and greenfield opportunities for resource growth.
These latest drilling results reinforce the prospectivity of the Gidginbung deposit and the broader Gilmore Project, setting the stage for sustained news flow and potential resource upgrades in the months ahead.
Bottom Line?
LinQ’s expanding high-grade gold footprint at Gidginbung signals a promising exploration runway and growing resource potential.
Questions in the middle?
- What are the pending assay results from the remainder of hole GBRCD011 and the Dam Au-Cu deposit?
- How will LinQ’s planned geophysical surveys overcome the Devonian cover to target southern extensions?
- What metallurgical recovery rates can be expected from Gidginbung’s mineralisation compared to analogous deposits?