Duketon Mining is ramping up exploration at its Barlee Gold Project with a 1,100-sample UltraFine+® soil program and a follow-up 2,500m RC drilling campaign targeting promising gold prospects.
- 1,100-sample UltraFine+® soil geochemical program underway
- Follow-up 2,500m RC drilling scheduled for early September
- Targets include Astro, Gromit, and Odie prospects
- Previous drilling yielded significant gold intercepts
- Assay results from 250 resplit samples expected in 4–6 weeks
Expanding Soil Geochemical Coverage at Barlee
Duketon Mining Limited (ASX:DKM) has kicked off a substantial soil geochemical program at its 100% owned Barlee Gold Project, aiming to fill gaps in UltraFine+® (UFF) coverage across key granted tenements. Approximately 1,100 soil samples will be collected, focusing on the Marda-Diemals Greenstone Belt within E77/3160 and extending along the western margin of E77/2717. This methodical sampling is designed to sharpen the company’s understanding of gold mineralisation patterns and generate fresh drill targets across largely underexplored ground.
Follow-up Drilling Targets Previous Successes
Building on encouraging maiden drilling results reported earlier this year, Duketon has secured a drilling contractor to commence a follow-up reverse circulation (RC) program in early September 2026. The campaign will comprise roughly eighteen holes totalling 2,500 metres, concentrating on the Astro, Gromit, and Odie prospects. These sites have already demonstrated notable gold intercepts, including 30 metres at 1.1 g/t Au at Gromit and 12 metres at 1.3 g/t Au at Astro, with higher-grade zones such as 9 metres at 2.4 g/t Au and a 1-metre interval hitting 4.7 g/t Au near hole bottoms.
Assays Pending to Refine Exploration Model
In parallel, approximately 250 resplit samples from previously anomalous intervals identified through aircore and RC drilling have been submitted for laboratory analysis. Assay results are anticipated within four to six weeks and are expected to enhance the resolution of gold-bearing zones, enabling more precise geological interpretations and targeting strategies for upcoming drilling phases. This iterative approach reflects the company’s commitment to refining its exploration model based on evolving data.
Early-Stage Project with Significant Upside Potential
Managing Director Stuart Fogarty emphasised the project's promise despite its early stage: "The Barlee Gold Project continues to demonstrate why it is such a compelling exploration opportunity. Despite limited historical exploration, our early-stage drilling has returned exceptionally encouraging results at multiple prospects." The combination of strong initial drilling outcomes and extensive areas yet to be tested under modern geochemical methods highlights the potential scale of the emerging gold system.
With systematic sampling expanding across the project and follow-up drilling imminent, Duketon aims to rapidly build on its understanding of Barlee’s gold potential. The company’s strategy balances broad regional coverage with targeted drill testing, a formula that could unlock significant value if the promising early results are confirmed and extended.
Bottom Line?
Duketon’s methodical expansion of geochemical coverage and targeted drilling at Barlee sets the stage for critical assay results and new gold discoveries in the coming months.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming assays confirm and extend the high-grade gold zones identified in maiden drilling?
- How will the expanded UltraFine+® soil coverage influence the prioritisation of future drill targets?
- Could Barlee’s largely untested tenure yield a significant new gold resource with ongoing exploration?