Leeuwin Metals Ltd has confirmed the presence of shallow, high-grade gold mineralisation across a 1.6 kilometre trend at the Evanston Prospect, part of its 100%-owned Marda Gold Project in Western Australia. The confirmation follows a detailed review of historical drill data and recent site sampling.
Key historical intercepts include 3.6 metres at 16.4 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 1 metre, and 13 metres at 4.38 g/t gold from 4 metres. Additionally, rock chip sampling of pit walls has returned multiple high-grade results, including 28.6 g/t and 15.9 g/t gold. Evanston, which contains four historical open pits, has been elevated as a priority drilling target for Leeuwin’s 2025 exploration program. Assays from the company’s Phase 1 drilling at nearby Marda Central are expected later this month.
Results include:
- 3.6 metres at 16.4 g/t gold from 1 metre (EDM003)
- 13 metres at 4.38 g/t gold from 4 metres (PRC015)
- 16 metres at 3.02 g/t gold from 4 metres (ERC147)
- 5.3 metres at 7.5 g/t gold from 9.7 metres (EDM005)
- 4 metres at 6.26 g/t gold from 14 metres (PRC197)
- 8 metres at 3.32 g/t gold from 28 metres (BPRC001)
Evanston 1.6km Trend, view looking oblique view to the north-east.
“These results are in line with our strategy to progress several prospects across the Marda gold project,” Leeuwin executive chairman, Christopher Piggott, said.
“They show there is clearly extensive shallow mineralisation which remains open along strike and at depth. The historical drilling confirms broad zones of high-grade gold in areas that were never mined. With assays from Marda Central due this month and planning underway for follow-up drilling, and drill planning also progressing at Evanston, we’re set for strong newsflow over the coming months.”
Recent site sampling supports high-grade potential
Initial fieldwork at the Evanston Prospect included targeted sampling of interpreted mineralised zones within flat-lying banded iron formation (BIF) and quartz vein units exposed in one of the existing pits.
Evanston Mine Trend. Map projection MGA94 z50.
Rock chip samples collected from the pit walls returned high-grade gold assays of 28.6 grams per tonne (g/t), 8.88 g/t, 15.9 g/t, and 5.65 g/t gold (Au), confirming the presence of gold mineralisation within the pit.
Rock chip samples from pit wall exposures at Evanston Prospect. Left: Sample MRRK00004 (28.6g/t Au), collected from banded iron formation (BIF) with minor quartz and sulphides in the western pit wall. Right: Sample MRRK00010 (15.9g/t Au), collected from a 50cm quartz vein (VQ) with visible sulphides (asp + cpy) in the northern wall.
When considered alongside the review of historical drilling, these results provide strong support for the potential to expand the mineralised footprint and advance future resource definition within the Evanston Prospect. However, the company cautions that the rock chip samples are point-selective in nature and may not be representative of the broader mineralisation across the prospect.
Cross section at Evanston showing historical drilling and gold intercepts over a 115m strike length (GDA94 / MGA Zone 50). Section view looking south-west (Azimuth 240°), with a section width of ±5m. Intercepts highlight shallow, continuous mineralisation remaining open down-plunge to the east.
Priority target within a broader exploration strategy
The Evanston Prospect, which includes four pits last mined between 1998 and 2000, has seen limited modern exploration. With mineralisation open in all directions and significant historical grades, Leeuwin has designated Evanston as a key focus for its 2025 program.
The company has started planning to finalise drill targets at Evanston, incorporating historical intercepts, pit wall mapping and structural interpretations to refine areas where mineralisation remains open. The permitting process and contractor engagement are underway, with drilling at Evanston expected to begin later in the 2025 field season.
Concurrently, the company anticipates receiving assay results from its Phase 1 drill program at Marda Central by mid to late May 2025, with follow-up drilling scheduled to begin shortly thereafter.
Leeuwin is also progressing its assessment of regional prospects, including Golden Orb and King Brown, as part of its strategy to advance a pipeline of high-priority targets across the wider Marda Gold Project. To support detailed drill planning and future resource definition, a three-dimensional geological model is currently in development for the Evanston area.