Visible Gold Found 300m Below Turnberry Reserve as Second Drill Rig Mobilised

Visible Gold Discovery Deepens Turnberry Potential

Meeka Metals (ASX:MEK) has pushed the boundaries of its Turnberry Gold Project by hitting visible gold in diamond drill hole 26TBRD010 at an unprecedented depth of 632.8 metres, some 300 metres below the existing underground reserve. This latest hole, the deepest drilled to date at Turnberry, intersected a broad shear zone rich in chalcopyrite, pyrite, albite, and magnetite, all hallmarks of the orogenic gold system the company is targeting. While assay results are still pending, the presence of visible gold alongside sulphide minerals known to correlate with higher grades is a compelling visual indicator of potential high-grade mineralisation at depth.

Second Drill Rig Mobilised to Accelerate Exploration

In response to these encouraging signs, Meeka Metals has mobilised a second diamond drill rig to the Murchison site as of mid-August, aiming to fast-track exploration and better delineate the extent of this large gold system. Managing Director Tim Davidson emphasised the strategic importance of this move, noting the intent to target further extensions and potentially pinpoint the deeper source of the high-grade gold mineralisation. This expansion in drilling capacity comes as the company seeks to build on previous strong intersections reported in July 2026, such as 52.3 metres at 3.0 grams per tonne gold from 474.1 metres and 18 metres at 3.0 grams per tonne gold from 533 metres, both within the Turnberry shear zone.

Increasing Shear Intensity Correlates with Grade

The geological logging from the latest hole indicates an intensification of shearing towards the central zone of Turnberry, consistent with the observed increase in grade and width of mineralisation at depth. This pattern aligns with the company's previous drilling results, reinforcing the potential for a significant underground resource expansion. However, Meeka Metals is careful to clarify that visible gold observations are qualitative and not a substitute for laboratory assays, which are expected to provide definitive grade and width data in September 2026.

Robust Technical and Compliance Framework

The announcement includes comprehensive JORC-compliant technical data, confirming that sampling, drilling, and assay protocols meet industry standards. The company maintains full tenure control over its M51/882 tenement, with heritage surveys completed and no known impediments to ongoing exploration. Meeka Metals also acknowledges a net profit interest payable to Teck and milestone payments capped at $1 million to Archean Star Resources Australia Pty Ltd, reflecting the project's complex ownership and royalty arrangements.

Next Steps in Turnberry Exploration

Looking ahead, Meeka Metals plans further infill and extensional drilling along the Fairway trend to continue building resource confidence and test additional targets. The mobilisation of a second diamond rig signals a clear commitment to accelerating this work, with assay results from the deepest hole expected to provide critical insights into the project's underground potential. These developments come amid a broader company push to expand resources and production capacity across its Murchison portfolio, complementing recent acquisitions and ongoing underground mine ramp-ups.