Leeuwin Metals has secured Mining Lease M77/1300 over the Evanston deposit, marking a crucial step toward development at its Marda Gold Project. All current Mineral Resources at Marda now reside on granted leases, underpinning future production plans amid ongoing exploration.
- Mining Lease M77/1300 granted over Evanston deposit
- Evanston hosts 135,800oz gold resource with higher-grade 96,300oz at 1.52g/t Au
- Agreement reached with Marlinyu Ghoorlie Native Title Group
- All Marda Mineral Resources now on granted mining leases
- Assays pending for 50 drill holes; drilling to resume May 2026
Mining Lease Grant Unlocks Development Pathway at Evanston
Leeuwin Metals Ltd (ASX:LM1) has crossed a significant regulatory milestone with the granting of Mining Lease M77/1300 over its Evanston deposit within the Marda Gold Project in Western Australia. This approval follows a key agreement with the Marlinyu Ghoorlie Native Title Claimant Group, clearing a major hurdle for advancing development activities on the project.
The Evanston deposit holds a Mineral Resource of 135,800 ounces of gold, including a higher-grade subset of 96,300 ounces at 1.52 grams per tonne (g/t) Au. With this lease now secured, Leeuwin confirms that all current Mineral Resources across Marda are situated on granted mining leases, a foundational step that supports the company’s aspirations to progress towards production scenarios.
Resource Growth and Exploration Momentum Continue
Exploration remains a core focus, with assays pending for 50 drill holes from the ongoing program initiated in January 2026, and drilling scheduled to recommence in May. These results will be critical in defining resource extensions and upgrading resource classifications. The recent promising step-out drilling results at Evanston, revealing shallow gold mineralisation beyond the existing resource, underscore the potential for further growth.
Significant drill intercepts underpinning the resource include 13 metres at 3.2g/t gold from 91 metres, with a high-grade 3-metre interval at 10.05g/t, and other noteworthy zones such as 7 metres at 3.55g/t from 17 metres depth. These results provide a robust foundation for advancing resource conversion and development planning.
Strategic Positioning of the Marda Gold Project
The Marda Gold Project itself is an advanced exploration asset with a total Mineral Resource of 342,300 ounces, comprising 73,800 ounces indicated at 1.1g/t and 268,500 ounces inferred at 1.03g/t. Situated close to existing infrastructure, the project benefits from granted mining leases and a broad tenement package that includes mining, exploration, and prospecting licences. This strategic positioning supports efficient field operations and future development options.
Executive Chairman Christopher Piggott emphasised the importance of the mining lease grant, stating it enables strategic work streams that will move Evanston closer to a production scenario. The company’s commitment to advancing exploration and resource definition at Marda remains firm, with ongoing drilling and assay results expected to shape the next phase of the project’s evolution.
Bottom Line?
With all Mineral Resources now on granted leases and exploration drilling ramping up, Leeuwin Metals is poised to clarify Marda’s development trajectory in the coming months.
Questions in the middle?
- How will pending assay results from 50 drill holes impact the resource classification and size at Evanston?
- What are the potential timelines and capital requirements for advancing Marda towards production following the mining lease grant?
- How might ongoing agreements with native title groups influence future expansions or operational plans at Marda?