Duketon Mining's first-ever drilling at Barlee delivers broad gold intercepts, confirming promising mineralisation and setting the stage for expanded exploration.
- Maiden drilling returns broad gold zones up to 24m at 0.79g/t Au
- Mineralisation identified on multiple drill lines, open in all directions
- Only half of assays received; follow-up drilling planned soon
- UFF soil geochemistry effective in targeting concealed gold
- Significant exploration upside with 70% tenure untested by modern methods
First Drilling at Barlee Yields Encouraging Gold Intercepts
Duketon Mining Limited (ASX:DKM) has reported compelling assay results from its maiden drilling program at the Barlee Gold Project, located north of Southern Cross in Western Australia. The company received assays for all aircore holes and five of 28 reverse circulation (RC) holes, revealing broad zones of gold mineralisation including a standout 24 metres at 0.79 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 24 metres depth at the Astro Prospect.
This initial drilling campaign, the first ever conducted at Barlee, has exceeded expectations by validating extensive gold anomalies previously identified through geochemical surveys. Notably, mineralisation is not confined to a single location but has been intersected on multiple drill lines, with significant gold assays approximately 400 metres south of the main Astro discovery, hinting at a sizeable mineralised system.
Key Intercepts Highlight Scale and Grade Variability
Among the significant intercepts, hole 26BAR005 at Astro delivered 24m at 0.79g/t Au including a higher-grade 12m at 1.29g/t Au, alongside 8m at 0.77g/t Au with a 2m section hitting nearly 2g/t Au. Another hole 400 metres south, 26BAC025, intersected 7m at 0.74g/t Au including a 1m spike at 4.68g/t Au at the bottom of the hole, demonstrating variability and encouraging high-grade zones within broader mineralised envelopes.
At the Gromit Prospect, aircore drilling returned anomalous gold values with 4m at 0.53g/t Au and 8m at 0.27g/t Au, while adjacent RC holes displayed significant quartz veining; a classic indicator of gold mineralisation; though assays for these holes are still awaited.
UFF Soil Geochemistry Validated as Effective Targeting Tool
Duketon's Managing Director Stuart Fogarty emphasised the success of the Ultra Fine Fraction (UFF) soil geochemistry program, which effectively pinpointed concealed gold mineralisation at Barlee. Only about 30% of the current granted tenure has been covered by effective soil geochemistry surveys, leaving a large portion of the project untested by modern methods.
The company holds tenement applications covering an additional 12 kilometres of prospective strike to the south, with plans to extend UFF programs over granted and newly acquired tenure. This approach aims to systematically expand the footprint of known mineralisation and identify new targets for drilling.
Next Steps: Awaiting Remaining Assays and Follow-Up Drilling
Approximately 50% of assay results remain outstanding, expected within the next ten days. Duketon intends to assess these results to refine its geological model and mineralisation understanding before recommencing drilling. The follow-up program will focus on testing extensions of the mineralised zones at both Astro and Gromit prospects to delineate the scale and continuity of the gold system.
Given the early stage of exploration and the open nature of mineralisation in all directions, the Barlee Project presents significant upside potential. The combination of encouraging drilling results and effective geochemical targeting sets a promising foundation for the company's ongoing exploration strategy.
Bottom Line?
With half the assays still pending and a largely untested tenure, Barlee’s maiden drilling hints at a nascent gold system ripe for expansion.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the pending assays from key RC holes influence the overall grade and extent of mineralisation?
- What scale and continuity can follow-up drilling establish across the Astro and Gromit prospects?
- How effectively will further UFF geochemical surveys unlock new targets within the untested 70% of tenure?