WA Government Grants $220K to Lunnon Metals for Plentiful Dolerite Drilling
Lunnon Metals has won a Western Australian government grant to fund diamond drilling at its promising Plentiful Dolerite gold target, located within the prolific Kambalda gold district. This initiative aims to test a potentially blind gold system analogous to nearby major mining complexes.
- WA government awards $220,000 grant for diamond drilling
- Targeting 600m magnetic anomaly at Plentiful Dolerite prospect
- Drilling to test blind Orchin-Defiance structural gold system
- Project located near prolific Victory-Leviathan and Argo-Apollo mines
- Grant builds on previous successful government co-funded programs
Government Backing for New Gold Exploration
Lunnon Metals Limited (ASX: LM8) has announced it will receive up to $220,000 from the Western Australian Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety under the Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS). This funding will support a two-hole diamond drilling program totaling 1,400 metres at the Plentiful Dolerite target within its Foster-Baker project area.
A Promising Geological Setting
The Plentiful Dolerite prospect is defined by a 600-metre-long magnetic anomaly, interpreted as a differentiated dolerite unit hosting a shallow west-dipping gold-bearing structure. Previous drilling in early 2024 returned encouraging gold intercepts, including high-grade hits such as 2 metres at 24.49 grams per tonne gold. The target lies strategically between two prolific gold mining complexes, Victory-Leviathan to the north and Argo-Apollo to the southeast, both owned by Gold Fields Ltd, which have collectively produced over 7 million ounces of gold over 35 years.
Testing a Potentially Blind Gold System
The upcoming drilling will focus on the Orchin-Defiance (OD) structural system, a significant gold-hosting feature that controls mineralisation at Victory-Leviathan. This structure is interpreted to intersect and possibly offset the northern end of the Plentiful Dolerite anomaly. Notably, the OD system is believed to flatten at depth, making it potentially blind to surface exploration methods. The program aims to drill down the plunge of the dolerite to test this deeper, conceptual gold system for the first time.
Strategic Importance Within the Kambalda Gold & Nickel Project
The Foster-Baker project is part of the larger Kambalda Gold & Nickel Project (KGNP), a historically significant mining district in Western Australia known for both gold and nickel production. The KGNP has yielded over 16 million ounces of gold and 1.6 million tonnes of nickel since discovery. Lunnon Metals holds 100% rights to gold in the Foster-Baker area, excluding some specific zones retained by Gold Fields. The proximity to established infrastructure and processing plants, including those operated by Gold Fields, enhances the project's development potential.
Building on Past Success and Future Prospects
This latest government grant follows closely on the heels of Lunnon Metals’ recent success with its Defiance West drilling program, also co-funded by the EIS. Exploration & Geology Manager Aaron Wehrle emphasised the high-risk, conceptual nature of these government-supported programs but expressed optimism about the potential for significant discoveries. The drilling is scheduled to commence after June 1, 2025, with results expected by May 31, 2026.
Bottom Line?
Lunnon Metals’ new drilling campaign backed by government funding could unlock a hidden gold system, setting the stage for a pivotal exploration breakthrough.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the drilling confirm the presence of a blind gold system within the Plentiful Dolerite?
- How might positive results impact Lunnon Metals’ resource estimates and development plans?
- What are the implications for the broader Foster Gold Belt if significant mineralisation is found?
