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Evanston Step-Out Drilling Yields 14m at 1.72g/t Gold, Expanding Marda Resource

Mining By Maxwell Dee 3 min read

Leeuwin Metals reports promising step-out drilling results at its Evanston prospect within the Marda Gold Project, revealing shallow gold mineralisation beyond existing resources and signalling potential for resource expansion.

  • Significant shallow gold intercepts extending beyond current Evanston resource
  • Notable drill results include 14m @ 1.72g/t and 9m @ 1.70g/t gold
  • Ongoing 10,000m RC drilling program with assays pending for 50 holes
  • DHEM surveys aiding targeted exploration along 1.6km Evanston trend
  • Upcoming drilling planned at Marda Central targeting high-grade shoots

Step-Out Drilling Extends Gold Mineralisation

Leeuwin Metals Ltd (ASX: LM1) has delivered encouraging results from its ongoing exploration at the Evanston prospect, part of the broader Marda Gold Project in Western Australia. The latest step-out drilling has intercepted significant shallow gold mineralisation beyond the boundaries of the existing resource, with assays revealing promising grades within the top 100 metres from surface.

Key intercepts include 14 metres at 1.72 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 98 metres, featuring a higher-grade 3-metre section at 4.75 g/t, and 9 metres at 1.70 g/t gold from 77 metres depth. These results reinforce the potential for resource growth at Evanston, which currently holds 135,800 ounces of gold within its Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources.

Ongoing Drilling and Targeting Strategy

The company is progressing a 10,000-metre reverse circulation (RC) drilling program focused on shallow step-outs and down-dip extensions along the 1.6-kilometre Evanston trend. With assays pending for an additional 50 holes, Leeuwin anticipates further updates over the coming weeks that could expand the known mineralisation footprint.

Leeuwin is leveraging downhole electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys to refine targeting, identifying conductive sulphide-rich gold lodes that correlate with mineralised zones. This geophysical approach has proven effective in guiding follow-up drilling and is set to continue as part of the exploration strategy.

Broader Project Development and Future Drilling

Beyond Evanston, Leeuwin is preparing for RC drilling at Marda Central, aiming to test newly identified high-grade workings and shoots beneath existing open pits. This next phase of exploration underscores the company’s commitment to advancing its flagship gold asset, which hosts a global Mineral Resource of approximately 342,300 ounces.

Executive Chairman Christopher Piggott expressed optimism about the results and upcoming programs, highlighting the multiple work streams underway and the exciting prospects for shareholders as the company continues to unlock value across the Marda Gold Project.

Strategic Outlook

Alongside gold exploration, Leeuwin is conducting strategic reviews of its Cross Lake Lithium and William Lake Nickel-PGE projects, reflecting a diversified portfolio approach aligned with critical battery metals demand. The company’s exploration success at Marda, combined with these initiatives, positions it well within the evolving resource sector landscape.

Bottom Line?

With assays pending and further drilling planned, Leeuwin Metals is poised for a potentially transformative phase at Marda, keeping investors keenly watching for the next resource update.

Questions in the middle?

  • How will the pending assays from 50 drill holes impact the overall resource estimate at Evanston?
  • What are the implications of the ongoing native title claim on project development timelines?
  • How might the strategic reviews of lithium and nickel projects influence Leeuwin’s future capital allocation?