Duketon Mining is set to commence its first-ever drilling campaign at the Barlee Gold Project, targeting six promising gold-in-soil anomalies identified last year. Preparations are complete, with drilling expected to start imminently.
- Maiden aircore and RC drilling program at Barlee Gold Project
- Approximately 5,500 metres planned across six high-grade gold soil targets
- Targets include significant anomalies up to 235ppb gold
- Camp setup and site clearance underway, drill rig mobilising
- Exploration targets confirmed by external consultants
Exploration Momentum Builds at Barlee
Duketon Mining Limited is gearing up to launch its inaugural drilling program at the Barlee Gold Project, located roughly 200 kilometres north of Southern Cross in Western Australia. This marks a significant milestone for the company as it seeks to unlock the potential of a largely untested gold province.
Over the past five months, Duketon has methodically advanced the project through heritage clearances with the Marlinyu Ghoorlie Native Title Group, detailed aeromagnetic surveys, and comprehensive structural interpretations. These efforts have culminated in the identification of six highly prospective gold-in-soil anomalies, which will now be tested through approximately 4,000 metres of aircore drilling and 1,500 metres of reverse circulation (RC) drilling.
Targets of Significant Scale and Grade
The six prospects earmarked for drilling, Astro, Scooby, Tiger, Gromit, Odie, and Lost Bolt, feature gold anomalies ranging from 37 parts per billion (ppb) up to an impressive 235ppb. Notably, the Gromit Prospect hosts the highest recorded gold value within the program, underscoring the potential scale and grade of mineralisation at Barlee.
Managing Director Stuart Fogarty emphasised the uniqueness of the opportunity, noting that these targets have never been drilled before and exhibit substantial size and amplitude. "We have consolidated the Barlee package and developed foundational geological datasets that underpin multiple high-quality targets," he said. "This drill program is a compelling step forward in our exploration journey."
Preparations Complete, Drilling Imminent
With camp infrastructure established and track and drill site clearances completed, the drill rig is now mobilising to site. The company anticipates commencing drilling within the next week, signalling the start of a critical phase that will provide the first direct insights into the subsurface gold potential of the Barlee Project.
External consultants have validated the drill targets, adding confidence to the program’s design. As the campaign unfolds, market watchers will be keenly awaiting assay results that could redefine Duketon’s exploration narrative and potentially elevate the project’s profile within the competitive Western Australian gold landscape.
Bottom Line?
As Duketon embarks on its maiden drilling at Barlee, the coming weeks could prove pivotal in shaping the company’s exploration trajectory.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the drilling confirm the scale and grade suggested by soil anomalies?
- How might positive results impact Duketon’s valuation and future funding options?
- Could the Barlee Project emerge as a significant new gold discovery in the region?