Leeuwin Metals Ltd (ASX:LM1) has announced further high-grade gold intersections from its ongoing drilling at the Marda Gold Project in Western Australia, saying they highlight the project’s “immense growth potential” with assays up to 10 g/t gold. The results confirm the continuity of mineralisation below the existing open pit and support the company’s goal of defining a maiden mineral resource estimate (MRE) within the current quarter.
The drilling at Marda Central, specifically at the Python prospect, continues to return impressive results, with thick, high-grade gold intersections further demonstrating the expansion potential. Key highlights include:
- 5m at 5.0 g/t gold (Au) from 229m, including 1m at 10.0 g/t Au (MGRC0018);
- 23m at 1.29 g/t Au from 207m, including 10m at 2.3 g/t Au from 207m (MGRC0027); and
- 9m at 1.15 g/t Au from 193m (MGRC0023).
Marda Central, Python Pit – cross section +/-10m thickness showing key intercepts from Leeuwin’s recent drill program.
These results extend the known mineralisation well below the open pit, confirming a significant, continuous gold-bearing structure over an area of 200 by 200 metres.
Expanding exploration potential at Marda Central
The recent drilling success highlights Marda Central as a priority target area within the broader Marda Gold Project, which spans a 70-kilometre greenstone corridor. The company’s exploration focus has been on extending known mineralisation along strike and at depth within the mining lease.
Plan view of Marda Central showing recent Leeuwin drill collars from the Phase 1 program, reported on 14 May 2025, and the current program (red) and historical drill collars (black) at Python.
Leeuwin Metals' executive chairman, Christopher Piggott, said the results reinforce the Marda system’s scale and potential.
“A maiden mineral resource estimate is targeted for this quarter based on previously announced drilling, with the assays reported today to support a subsequent update later this calendar year,” Piggott said.
“This is our second drilling campaign at Marda, and results continue to demonstrate strong down-dip continuity of mineralisation at Marda Central,” he added. “Drilling beneath Python has identified new targets, with grades up to 10 g/t gold, highlighting the scale and potential tenor of the system."
In addition to the drilling, recent fieldwork at Marda Central has identified 11 new target areas through surface mapping and rock chip sampling. The majority of these targets are located within the granted mining lease but remain significantly under-explored. These areas represent considerable untapped exploration potential, with more than 120 assays pending from rock chip samples.
Location of additional mineralised corridors containing historical workings within Marda Central. Followup structural mapping will better inform the orientation and extent of the workings. Over 120 assays are currently pending for samples collected within these trends.
Drilling to expand across the Marda system
Following the success of the Marda Central drilling, Leeuwin is planning to expand its exploration efforts. Drilling is scheduled to begin in mid-August at the Evanston target, focusing on shallow, high-grade mineralisation with the aim of extending the current resource.
In addition, further structural mapping and field exploration will refine the understanding of mineralisation controls, which will inform future drill targeting across the broader project area.
Diamond Tail of MGRC0018 from 234m. Mineralised BIF unit intercepted from 234 to 234.5m, with footwall alteration from 234.5 to 239m.
The ongoing exploration at Marda is critical for building geological confidence and unlocking the full potential of the project. The company's systematic drilling approach, combined with detailed structural mapping, will help prioritise targets for resource definition and provide a robust foundation for the upcoming MRE.
Extensive historical workings interpreted to have targeted north–south trending quartz veins surrounding Marda Central. These veins were historically considered prospective for high-grade gold. The attitude and orientation of the workings suggest a potential additional mineralisation style that has not yet been subjected to systematic modern exploration within the tenure.
Leeuwin’s next steps also include ongoing 3D geological modelling, with exploration efforts focused on expanding the known mineralisation at Marda and advancing other high-potential targets within the company’s portfolio, including the Golden Orb and King Brown prospects.
As Leeuwin advances toward its maiden MRE and identifies new high-grade gold targets, the company is on track to unlock significant resource growth at Marda and strengthen its gold portfolio in Western Australia.