Leeuwin Metals’ Marda Results Highlight Exploration Upside but Risks Remain
Leeuwin Metals has reported robust high-grade gold assay results from its initial drilling at the Marda Gold Project, prompting an accelerated follow-up drilling campaign.
- Multiple thick, high-grade gold intersections at Marda Central
- Phase 1 drilling confirms mineralisation extends below existing open pit
- Phase 2 drilling accelerated to commence late May 2025
- Project benefits from extensive historical drilling and granted mining lease
- Additional exploration planned at Evanston and regional targets
Strong Start at Marda Central
Leeuwin Metals Ltd (ASX: LM1) has kicked off its maiden drilling program at the Marda Gold Project in Western Australia with promising results. The initial 2,000-metre reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign at Marda Central has delivered multiple wide and high-grade gold intersections, confirming the presence of significant mineralisation beyond the shallow open pit mined previously.
Notable assay highlights include intercepts such as 16 metres at 2 grams per tonne gold from 134 metres and 22 metres at 1.25 grams per tonne from 123 metres, with some intervals grading above 6 grams per tonne. These results reinforce the potential for both depth and strike extensions within the granted mining lease area, underscoring Marda Central as a key focus for Leeuwin’s exploration efforts.
Accelerated Phase 2 Drilling
Buoyed by the encouraging Phase 1 outcomes, Leeuwin Metals is fast-tracking its Phase 2 drilling program, scheduled to commence in late May 2025. This next phase aims to systematically test down-dip and strike extensions of the mineralised zones identified, with drill rig arrangements already secured. The company’s Executive Chairman, Christopher Piggott, highlighted the exploration upside and the continuity of mineralisation at depth, signaling confidence in the project’s growth potential.
Strategic Project Position and Historical Data
The Marda Gold Project benefits from a granted mining lease and a rich historical drilling dataset exceeding 350,000 metres, including reverse circulation, rotary air blast, and diamond drilling. This extensive data supports targeted exploration and resource definition. The project lies within the Youanmi Terrane’s Marda–Diemals Greenstone Belt, a well-known gold-bearing region, and is proximal to existing infrastructure, which could facilitate efficient development in the future.
Broader Exploration Pipeline
Beyond Marda Central, Leeuwin Metals is advancing exploration at the Evanston Prospect, located approximately 50 kilometres north. Targeting structurally hosted gold within a separate greenstone package, drilling at Evanston is anticipated later in the 2025 field season. Additionally, the company is reviewing other regional targets such as Golden Orb and King Brown to build a robust pipeline of follow-up opportunities.
Looking Ahead
Ongoing 3D geological modelling and structural interpretation will underpin future drill designs and prioritisation. Leeuwin Metals’ systematic approach aims to unlock the structural controls on mineralisation and expand the resource base across its portfolio. The accelerated drilling program at Marda Central marks a pivotal step in realising the project’s potential and could set the stage for further discoveries.
Bottom Line?
Leeuwin Metals’ strong start at Marda sets the stage for a potentially transformative exploration campaign.
Questions in the middle?
- How will Phase 2 drilling results impact resource estimates and project valuation?
- What are the exploration timelines and targets for the Evanston Prospect and other regional sites?
- How might ongoing geological modelling refine drill targeting and resource confidence?
