Moonlight Resources has launched a 5,000-metre Phase 2 drilling campaign at its Leo Grande Prospect, aiming to extend and confirm high-grade gold mineralisation discovered in its maiden program. This effort is part of a fully funded 20,000-metre exploration drive across the Clermont Gold Project.
- Phase 2 RC drilling underway targeting shallow gold extensions
- Approximately 70 holes planned for 5,000 metres at Leo Grande
- Initial 2025 drilling intersected wide, high-grade gold zones from surface
- Program supports future Mineral Resource Estimate and broader project growth
- Drilling to progress next to Goldfinger and Petersens prospects
Building on Maiden Success
Moonlight Resources Ltd (ASX: ML8) has commenced Phase 2 of its Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling program at the Leo Grande Prospect, part of its Clermont Gold Project in Queensland. This follow-up campaign involves approximately 70 holes totalling 5,000 metres, designed to target shallow extensions of the wide, high-grade gold mineralisation intersected during the company’s maiden drilling in 2025.
The initial program was notable for intersecting broad zones of gold mineralisation from surface or very shallow depths in every hole drilled, including standout intervals such as 40 metres at 1.30 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from surface and 34 metres at 1.37 g/t from 6 metres depth, which included a higher-grade 10-metre section at 2.52 g/t. These results have bolstered confidence in the scale and continuity of the Leo Grande system.
Strategic Drilling Objectives
The Phase 2 program is structured to expand on these encouraging results by stepping out along strike and down-dip to test extensions of known mineralisation, infilling to increase drill density, and exploring for additional parallel lodes within the broader mineralised corridor. The shallow nature of the mineralisation at Leo Grande presents a compelling near-term growth opportunity, potentially accelerating the path to defining a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate.
Managing Director Greg Starr emphasised the significance of this phase, noting that the program is part of a fully funded 20,000-metre drilling campaign across the Clermont project. He highlighted the efficiency of operations at Leo Grande, benefiting from established access and a rich historical drill database, which includes approximately 70 historical RC holes totaling over 4,500 metres.
Broader Exploration Upside at Clermont
Beyond Leo Grande, the Clermont Gold Project covers a substantial and underexplored landholding within a historically productive gold district. Multiple prospects, including Goldfinger and Petersens, exhibit promising geological and geochemical signatures. Following completion of the Leo Grande drilling, the RC rig will mobilise to these prospects for an initial combined campaign of around 60 holes and 3,500 metres.
The company’s systematic approach aims not only to advance these priority targets toward resource definition but also to evaluate additional high-potential areas across the project. This portfolio strategy positions Clermont as a potential multi-deposit gold system, offering scope for both near-term resource growth and longer-term district-scale discoveries.
Looking Ahead
Assay results from the Phase 2 drilling are expected progressively in the coming weeks, with Moonlight Resources committed to keeping the market informed. The outcomes will be pivotal in confirming grade continuity, expanding the mineralised footprint, and underpinning future resource estimates that could shape the project’s development trajectory.
Bottom Line?
As Moonlight Resources advances its drilling momentum, the next assay results will be crucial in defining the true scale of Leo Grande’s gold potential and setting the stage for broader Clermont growth.
Questions in the middle?
- Will Phase 2 drilling confirm and extend the high-grade gold zones seen in the maiden program?
- How soon might Moonlight Resources deliver a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for Leo Grande?
- What exploration surprises could emerge from upcoming drilling at Goldfinger and Petersens?