QMines Limited has confirmed exceptional gold and silver grades at its Mount Mackenzie Project, revealing a broader hydrothermal system with multiple new exploration targets. The findings suggest significant potential for resource expansion in Central Queensland.
- Diamond drill hole MMDD010 returned bonanza-grade gold up to 108 g/t and silver up to 81 g/t
- Continuous 16m mineralised breccia envelope with multiple high-grade zones
- Reprocessed historical Induced Polarisation data identifies five large undrilled near-surface targets
- New IP interpretation reveals two lithocap centres and three sulphide-bearing structural conduits
- Results support a larger, coherent high sulphidation hydrothermal system at Mount Mackenzie
Bonanza Grades Confirmed at Vein355
QMines Limited (ASX:QML) has delivered a striking update from its Mount Mackenzie Project in Central Queensland, confirming bonanza-grade gold and silver mineralisation within the Vein355 prospect. Diamond drilling hole MMDD010 intersected a continuous 16-metre breccia zone hosting multiple high-grade intervals, including an outstanding 1 metre assay of 108.0 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 61.9 g/t silver from just 11 metres depth.
This discovery not only validates previous visible gold observations but also reveals that high-grade mineralisation extends beyond visually obvious zones, with a second bonanza interval of 1 metre at 94.3 g/t gold and 77.9 g/t silver identified at 20 metres. The results underscore the continuity and scale of the mineralised breccia, enhancing geological confidence in the prospect.
Advanced Geophysical Analysis Unveils Larger Hydrothermal System
Complementing the drilling success, QMines has reprocessed and performed 3D inversion modelling on historical Induced Polarisation (IP) geophysical data. This work has materially improved the understanding of the shallow hydrothermal architecture, identifying five significant undrilled near-surface targets spread across a 1.2-kilometre by 750-metre area.
The updated IP interpretation delineates two annular lithocap-style centres, zones of advanced argillic alteration typical of high sulphidation systems, and three sulphide-bearing structural conduits adjacent to known deposits. This broader footprint suggests that Vein355 is part of a much larger, organised hydrothermal system than previously recognised, offering multiple new avenues for exploration.
Strategic Implications and Next Steps
QMines’ Exploration Manager, Tom Bartschi, emphasised the significance of these findings, noting that the combined geological and geophysical data provide a stronger framework for ongoing exploration. The company plans to integrate the new assay results with the refined IP targets to prioritise future drilling campaigns aimed at expanding the known mineralisation and testing the newly identified targets.
While the current drilling confirms high-grade mineralisation near surface, true widths of the mineralised zones remain to be determined, and assay results from additional holes are pending. The presence of coarse visible gold also suggests potential nugget effects, which may influence grade continuity and resource modelling.
Broader Project Context
Mount Mackenzie forms part of QMines’ portfolio alongside the Mt Chalmers and Develin Creek deposits, all located within 90 kilometres of Rockhampton. The company’s strategy focuses on advancing these assets towards sustainable copper and gold production, leveraging both historical data and modern exploration techniques.
The recent results at Mount Mackenzie reinforce the potential for significant resource growth and highlight the value of integrating advanced geophysical methods with targeted drilling to unlock complex mineral systems.
Bottom Line?
QMines’ Mount Mackenzie breakthrough sets the stage for a potentially transformative expansion of its gold-silver resources.
Questions in the middle?
- What are the true widths of the bonanza-grade mineralised intervals at Vein355?
- How will upcoming assay results from other drill holes influence the overall resource model?
- Can the broader hydrothermal system support a large-scale, economically viable deposit?