Leeuwin Metals Ltd has started drilling at its 100%-owned Marda Gold Project in Western Australia’s Goldfields, marking the start of its maiden exploration program at the recently acquired asset.
The initial reverse circulation (RC) campaign will comprise approximately 2,000 metres, targeting extensions to shallow, high-grade gold mineralisation at the Marda Central prospect, adjacent to previously mined open pits. This drilling will be the first phase of a broader 10,000-metre drilling program scheduled for 2025.
Marda Regional Location showing greenstone belt extents. Map projection: MGA94 z50.
Leeuwin is also finalising a comprehensive review of historical data to validate existing exploration targets and define new zones of mineralisation. The review is expected to be completed in April 2025, with the findings to be used to refine the current program and guide future exploration efforts.
“To be drilling at Marda just over a week after completing the acquisition reflects our determination to generate results and newsflow in a timely manner,” executive chairman, Christopher Piggott, said.
“This first program will test high-priority extensions at Marda Central, where historical drilling has delivered some exceptional results. We believe this area is extremely prospective and we look forward to the first assays.”
Priority targets
The Marda Gold Project spans more than 500 square kilometres of granted mining, exploration, and prospecting licences in the northern Goldfields of Western Australia, approximately 120 kilometres north of Southern Cross.
The project encompasses eight historical open pits and a broad range of targets at various stages of exploration, highlighting its potential as a large, underexplored gold system. Leeuwin is pursuing both near-mine and greenfield opportunities, with plans for a staged exploration strategy throughout 2025.
Four key areas – Marda Central, Marda North, Marda South and Marda West – host a range of prospects, including zones with defined mineralisation near historical workings, geochemical anomalies, and conceptual targets yet to be tested. Leeuwin intends to prioritise more advanced prospects in the early stages of the 2025 exploration program while maintaining flexibility to assess emerging opportunities across the broader project area.
Located within a well-established mining district, the Marda Project benefits from direct access via the sealed Evanston–Bullfinch Road, with a network of gravel and historical haul roads supporting internal mobility. Its proximity to existing processing infrastructure and regional centres such as Southern Cross offers multiple potential development pathways.
With money in the bank, the combination of scale, geological prospectivity, and infrastructure access positions Marda as a significant growth asset within Leeuwin’s exploration portfolio.