Leeuwin Metals continues to expand its Marda Gold Project resource with promising shallow gold intercepts at Evanston and Golden Orb, while assays for additional holes remain pending ahead of May drilling resumption.
- Multiple shallow gold intercepts at Evanston and Golden Orb
- Evanston resource stands at 135,800oz gold with growth potential
- Golden Orb drilling confirms strike and down dip extensions
- 13 assays pending from Q1 drilling program
- Drilling to recommence in May targeting Marda Central and Golden Orb
Shallow Gold Intercepts Highlight Resource Growth Potential at Evanston
Leeuwin Metals Ltd (ASX:LM1) has delivered a fresh batch of encouraging drill results from its Marda Gold Project in Western Australia, reinforcing the potential for resource growth at the Evanston and Golden Orb deposits. The company reported multiple shallow gold intercepts, including standout hits such as 3m at 4.2g/t gold from 12m and 19m at 1g/t gold from 20m at Evanston. These results complement historical high-grade intercepts like 3.6m at 16.4g/t gold from 1m, underscoring the continuity of mineralisation along a 1.6km trend largely open at depth and along strike.
With the Evanston resource currently estimated at 135,800oz gold (Indicated and Inferred), the recent drilling supports extensions to the existing resource, particularly within the top 100m from surface. The company’s Executive Chairman Christopher Piggott highlighted that these shallow intercepts provide tangible evidence of resource growth opportunities, especially as Evanston sits on a newly granted Mining Lease, facilitating future development options. This comes on the heels of the recent Mining Lease M77/1300 granted over Evanston deposit, which consolidates tenure security for the project’s key assets.
Golden Orb Drilling Validates Extensions Beyond Existing Resource
Meanwhile, drilling at Golden Orb has returned significant results confirming strike and down dip extensions beyond the current resource estimate of 25,700oz gold. Notable intercepts include 11m at 1.44g/t gold from 176m, with higher-grade intervals within. Mineralisation remains open beneath the existing pit and towards the Golden Orb West target, offering further exploration upside. The company plans to follow up with drilling at Golden Orb and Marda Central, targeting multiple high-grade workings and down dip shoots as part of the next phase of exploration scheduled to recommence in May.
Pending Assays and Ongoing Exploration Drive Next Steps
Assays remain outstanding for 13 Reverse Circulation holes drilled during the first quarter, with results anticipated to further clarify the resource picture. Leeuwin’s broader exploration strategy includes continuous data review, resource model updates, and prospect assessments to identify new structurally prospective corridors across the Marda tenement package. The company also continues strategic reviews of its Cross Lake Lithium and William Lake Ni-PGE projects, signalling a diversified approach to critical minerals exploration.
The Marda Gold Project itself boasts a global Mineral Resource of 342,300oz gold (Indicated and Inferred), reported in December 2025, and benefits from proximity to infrastructure and granted mining leases, positioning it well for advancement. The recent drill results dovetail with earlier announcements of high-grade extensions and a 10,000m drilling campaign aimed at expanding the resource base, as detailed in the company’s latest 10,000m drilling campaign at Evanston and new gold zones at Evanston updates.
Technical Confidence and Industry-Standard Sampling
Leeuwin’s drilling and sampling protocols adhere to industry best practices, with Reverse Circulation drilling providing representative 1m samples assayed primarily by Photon Assay and Fire Assay methods at accredited laboratories. Quality control measures include certified reference materials, blanks, and duplicates, ensuring data reliability. The Competent Person, Executive Chairman Christopher Piggott, has verified the reported intersections, lending further credibility to the exploration results.
Bottom Line?
Pending assays and upcoming drilling programs will be critical to defining the next phase of resource growth at Marda.
Questions in the middle?
- How will pending assay results influence the updated resource model at Evanston and Golden Orb?
- What exploration targets beyond Evanston and Golden Orb offer the most promising upside within the Marda Project?
- How might strategic reviews of lithium and Ni-PGE assets impact Leeuwin Metals’ project prioritisation?