QMines Limited’s latest drilling at Mount Mackenzie confirms a broad, structurally controlled high-grade gold system with multiple mineralised zones open at depth and along strike.
- Broad zones of high-grade gold and silver confirmed
- Significant intercepts at North Knoll and Vein 355
- Epithermal system open along strike and at depth
- Initial drilling complete with assays pending
- Potential for deeper porphyry-style mineralisation
Drilling Confirms Expanding High-Grade Gold Zones
QMines Limited (ASX:QML) has unveiled compelling assay results from its Mount Mackenzie project near Rockhampton, Queensland, reinforcing the presence of a broad, structurally controlled epithermal gold-silver system. The latest drilling highlights multiple high-grade intercepts, including 14 metres at 3.04 g/t gold and 7.2 g/t silver from 21 metres in diamond hole MMDD011 at North Knoll, and 6 metres at 3.85 g/t gold and 5.7 g/t silver from 24 metres in reverse circulation hole MMRC035 at Vein 355. These results extend the known mineralised corridor and confirm continuity of high-grade gold mineralisation beyond previously reported zones.
The North Knoll intercept MMDD011 is particularly notable as it bridges shallow reverse circulation mineralisation with deeper diamond core results, indicating multiple stacked mineralised positions within a vertically extensive hydrothermal system. This aligns with QMines’ evolving interpretation of Mount Mackenzie as a multi-level, structurally focused gold corridor rather than a single isolated zone.
Vein 355 Reveals Persistent High-Grade Shoot Potential
At Vein 355, drilling continues to delineate a shallow, high-grade gold position with strong lateral continuity. The standout intercept in MMRC035 includes a 1-metre interval grading 19.85 g/t gold, sitting close to the previously reported bonanza-grade 16 metres at 19.35 g/t gold from MMDD010. Additional step-out holes returned narrower but significant grades, suggesting Vein 355 hosts shoot-controlled mineralisation within a structurally complex and altered lithocap environment. QMines notes that the geometry and plunge of this high-grade shoot remain unresolved, leaving open the possibility of further extensions at depth and along strike.
The mineralisation at Vein 355 is hosted within vuggy silica and advanced argillic alteration zones, featuring sulphide assemblages typical of high-sulphidation epithermal systems. The sharp lateral grade boundaries and brecciation observed are consistent with fluid flow concentrated along narrow conduits, rather than broad disseminated halos.
Geological Interpretation Supports a Large Magmatic Hydrothermal System
QMines’ exploration manager Tom Bartschi emphasised that the drilling results confirm Mount Mackenzie as a structurally controlled epithermal field with multiple mineralised positions. The integrated alteration zonation, including vuggy silica, quartz-alunite-pyrite assemblages, and enargite-bearing sulphides, supports the interpretation of a telescoped porphyry epithermal system. Geochemical pathfinders such as arsenic, antimony, tellurium, and copper further indicate proximity to magmatic heat sources and potential feeder zones.
Drilling so far has tested the upper gold-rich lithocap, but QMines highlights that deeper zones remain untested. The presence of enargite-bearing massive sulphide intervals and anhydrite stockwork veining suggest a mineralised feeder system at depth, potentially linked to porphyry-style copper-gold mineralisation. A deeper diamond drill hole is planned to explore this transition, which could materially enhance the project’s value proposition.
Mineralisation Remains Open and Drilling Program Advances
The current drilling campaign has defined a mineralised corridor at North Knoll extending approximately 250 metres along strike and open at depth, with significant intercepts progressively deepening from east to west. Vein 355, located about 300 metres southeast of North Knoll, also remains open in multiple directions. QMines has completed the initial drilling program with many samples still pending assay results, which could further refine the structural and mineralisation model.
These latest results build on prior high-grade discoveries at Mount Mackenzie, including bonanza-grade intercepts reported earlier this year. The company’s multi-rig drilling approach and integrated geological modelling are aimed at delineating high-grade shoots and permeability traps within the broader lithocap alteration system, consistent with findings from the bonanza gold-silver zones and high-grade gold-silver-copper zones reported in recent months.
QMines’ broader Queensland portfolio, including Mt Chalmers and Develin Creek, complements the Mount Mackenzie project’s potential, with combined resources now approaching 20 million tonnes. The company’s strategy to commercialise these assets is supported by ongoing exploration success and a growing geological understanding of the region’s magmatic hydrothermal systems.
Bottom Line?
Mount Mackenzie’s expanding high-grade gold system offers promising upside, but pending assays and deeper drilling will be critical to unlock its full potential.
Questions in the middle?
- Will pending assay results confirm extensions of high-grade shoots at Mount Mackenzie?
- How will deeper drilling into the porphyry feeder zones impact resource estimates?
- What structural controls will define the geometry and continuity of mineralisation?