Koonenberry Gold has kicked off a seven-hole RC and diamond drilling program at its Dunedoo Project in NSW, targeting the untested Bolinda Vale copper-gold porphyry system and the Hillside gold-silver anomalies.
- Drilling underway at Bolinda Vale and Hillside targets
- Bolinda Vale hosts a 1.6km x 0.45km IP chargeability anomaly
- Hillside features gold-in-soil anomalies with rock chip grades over 1g/t Au
- First-ever systematic drill test of these priority targets
- Company advancing other Lachlan Fold Belt projects and Gundagai acquisition
Drilling Commences on Untested Bolinda Vale Porphyry Target
Koonenberry Gold (ASX:KNB) has launched a seven-hole reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drilling program at its Dunedoo Copper-Gold Project, located in the Lachlan Fold Belt of New South Wales. The initial phase focuses on four holes at Bolinda Vale, a compelling, large-scale copper-gold target that has never been drilled before.
Bolinda Vale stands out with a striking 1.6km by 0.45km induced polarisation (IP) chargeability anomaly exceeding 20mV/V, coinciding with a >800m copper soil anomaly and a strong magnetic high interpreted as an intrusive complex. These geophysical and geochemical signatures, combined with zoned hydrothermal alteration consistent with porphyry and VMS systems, make Bolinda Vale a high-priority target for potential copper-gold mineralisation.
The drilling is designed to test the peak chargeability response and resistivity features at depth, aiming to validate whether these coincident anomalies represent a metal-rich hydrothermal system. This direct drill test marks a significant step from target generation to active exploration for Koonenberry, potentially unlocking a new porphyry system in a prolific mineral province.
Hillside Target to Test High-Grade Gold-Silver Anomalies
Following Bolinda Vale, the program will traverse three RC holes at Hillside, an undrilled gold-silver prospect defined by a >700m by 500m gold-in-soil anomaly with rock chip samples grading up to 1.24g/t Au and 1.20g/t Au. The target is structurally controlled, lying along a crustal-scale arc-parallel fault and associated with a magnetic low indicative of hydrothermal alteration.
Hillside forms part of a broader pipeline of gold, copper, and silver anomalies extending over 12km of strike within the Dunedoo Project area. The drilling here will test the highest tenor gold results on the project and could pave the way for further shallow traverses at nearby targets such as Tucklan, which also exhibits encouraging gold and silver geochemical signatures.
Strategic Expansion and Regional Activity in the Lachlan Fold Belt
Beyond Dunedoo, Koonenberry continues to advance its wider Lachlan Fold Belt portfolio. The company is preparing the Wilga Flats and Breakfast Creek projects for near-term drilling, both considered highly prospective for Tier 1 gold and copper discoveries. Additionally, the recent acquisition of the Gundagai Project has expanded Koonenberry’s footprint by 485km2, unlocking multiple high-grade gold-copper targets slated for exploration starting in Q3 2026.
Meanwhile, drilling continues at the Newmont-managed Junee Joint Venture, where Koonenberry holds a 20% free-carried interest. This joint venture is exploring a fertile segment of the Macquarie Arc, with recent campaigns targeting significant gold-in-soil anomalies.
Next Steps and Market Implications
Assay results from the Dunedoo drilling program will be reported as they come to hand and validated, providing the first concrete data on the mineralisation potential of these large, previously untested targets. The combination of geophysical, geochemical, and geological evidence at Bolinda Vale and Hillside sets a promising stage, but the economic viability and scale of mineralisation remain to be proven.
Koonenberry’s strategic push into drilling at Dunedoo, alongside ongoing work across its extensive NSW portfolio, reflects a concerted effort to convert compelling exploration targets into tangible resources. Investors will be watching closely for assay outcomes that could redefine the company’s resource base and position in the competitive Lachlan Fold Belt copper-gold space.
Bottom Line?
The upcoming assay results from Dunedoo will be pivotal in determining whether Koonenberry’s large-scale targets translate into significant copper-gold discoveries.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the Bolinda Vale drilling confirm the presence of a porphyry copper-gold system?
- How extensive and high-grade will the gold-silver mineralisation at Hillside prove to be?
- What impact will the Gundagai acquisition have on Koonenberry’s exploration strategy in the Lachlan Fold Belt?