Duketon Mining Uncovers Multiple High-Grade Gold Anomalies at Barlee Project
Duketon Mining (ASX: DKM) has unveiled a series of large-scale, high-amplitude gold anomalies at its Barlee Project, significantly bolstering the prospectivity of this emerging gold play. Recent soil sampling has identified six highly prospective gold anomalies, with values reaching up to 235ppb gold – findings that Managing Director Stuart Fogarty describes as "markedly increasing our confidence" in the project's potential.
This project is evolving into a potentially significant play for DKM that is providing multiple pathways to discovery, establishing the Barlee Project as an increasingly important component of the company's gold portfolio in Western Australia.
Major Gold Anomalies Identified Across Extensive Areas
The company's extensive 1,500-sample ultra-fine fraction (UFF) soil program has revealed impressive gold anomalies across multiple prospects:
Prospect | Anomaly Size | Maximum Gold Value |
---|---|---|
Astro | 1,800m Ă— 800m | 204ppb |
Tiger | 1,200m Ă— 700m | 230ppb |
Gromit | 1,000m Ă— 450m | 235ppb |
Lost Bolt | 1,700m Ă— 1,000m | 211ppb |
Scooby | 900m Ă— 450m | 57ppb |
Odie | 350m Ă— 250m | 37ppb |
The sheer scale of these anomalies is particularly encouraging, with most extending over significant areas, suggesting potential for substantial gold systems beneath the surface.
Furthermore, the Astro anomaly appears to continue northward undercover, indicating the prospect may be even larger than currently mapped.
"This project is evolving into a potentially significant play for DKM that is providing multiple pathways to discovery," said Fogarty. "It is a large tenement package with multiple, significant anomalies."
Historic Drilling Supports New Findings
The new soil anomalies build upon historic drilling successes, particularly at the Lost Bolt Prospect, where previous drilling intersected encouraging gold mineralisation including:
- 4m @ 1.89g/t Au
- 12m @ 0.4g/t Au
- 4m @ 0.98g/t Au
At the Odie Prospect, historic drilling also returned promising results, including 16m @ 0.274g/t Au from surface.
What makes these findings particularly significant is that most of the newly identified anomalous areas have never been drill-tested, representing virgin territory for potential gold discoveries.
Understanding Ultra-Fine Fraction (UFF) Soil Sampling
Ultra-fine fraction soil sampling is an advanced geochemical technique particularly effective in areas with transported cover that can mask underlying mineralisation. The method isolates the smallest particles in soil samples (less than 2 microns), which can contain subtle but reliable indicators of mineralisation at depth.
For gold explorers, UFF sampling provides several key advantages:
- Detects weaker, deeper anomalies often missed by traditional soil sampling
- Reduces "noise" from surface contamination or environmental factors
- Creates more coherent, better-defined anomalies for targeting purposes
This technique is particularly valuable in the Yilgarn Craton where weathering and transported cover can obscure conventional geochemical signatures.
How Ultra-Fine Fraction Sampling Works
The UFF sampling process employed at the Barlee Project involved:
- Sample Collection: Surface soil samples were collected at various spacings (50m to 100m along 200m spaced lines)
- Sample Preparation: The soil samples undergo specialised processing to isolate particles smaller than 2 microns
- Laboratory Analysis: The ultra-fine material is analysed using advanced techniques that can detect extremely low concentrations of gold and other elements
- Data Interpretation: Results are statistically analysed to determine anomalous thresholds (greater than 12ppb Au for this program)
This methodical approach has enabled Duketon Mining to identify gold anomalies that might have been missed using conventional sampling techniques.
Next Steps and Development Timeline
Duketon has outlined a clear path forward following these encouraging results:
- Target testing and anomaly definition drilling
- Heritage surveys for drilling approvals
- Drill testing anticipated to commence late this quarter
The company is also progressing land access discussions and expects additional tenure to the south to be granted in coming months, potentially expanding the project footprint further.
"The DKM team are very pleased with these results that further underline the prospectivity of this area and markedly increase our confidence for the targeting stage of the exploration cycle," noted Fogarty.
The Barlee Project: A Strategic Gold Asset
The Barlee Project represents an increasingly important component of Duketon Mining's gold portfolio. Located in a prospective region of Western Australia, the project consists of:
- Multiple exploration tenements with significant gold potential
- A geological setting conducive to substantial gold mineralisation
- Proximity to existing infrastructure and processing facilities
- Potential for additional tenure expansion in the near future
The recent discoveries at Barlee add to the company's growing portfolio of gold assets, complementing its established resource base and exploration targets elsewhere in Western Australia.
Why Investors Should Watch Duketon Mining
Duketon Mining has strategically positioned itself to capitalise on these extensive gold anomalies, with several factors making the Barlee Project particularly compelling:
- Multiple Large-Scale Targets: Six distinct gold anomalies provide multiple opportunities for discovery
- High-Grade Potential: Maximum soil values up to 235ppb gold suggest robust mineralisation
- Historic Success: Previous drilling has already confirmed gold mineralisation in the area
- Untested Territory: Most new anomalies have never been drilled, creating significant discovery potential
- Clear Development Path: Well-defined next steps with drilling planned for the near term
Fogarty describes the Barlee Project as "a significant pillar in the Company's evolving gold portfolio," suggesting Duketon views these findings as potentially transformative.
Gold Exploration in the Yilgarn Craton
The Yilgarn Craton, where the Barlee Project is located, is one of the world's premier gold provinces, having produced numerous multi-million-ounce gold deposits. Gold mineralisation in this region typically occurs:
- Along major structural features and fault systems
- Associated with specific rock types and geological contacts
- Often beneath a layer of transported cover, making detection challenging
This project is evolving into a potentially significant play for DKM that is providing multiple pathways to discovery, particularly as the exploration methodology follows successful patterns established in previous major discoveries in the region.
Regional Success Patterns
The exploration approach at Barlee follows the model that has led to many significant discoveries in the region, focusing on:
- Identifying and mapping major structural features
- Employing advanced exploration techniques to see through cover
- Systematically testing targets with appropriate drilling methods
This methodical approach maximises the chances of exploration success while managing costs effectively.
With gold prices maintaining strength and investor interest in quality gold exploration projects remaining high, Duketon's systematic approach to testing these extensive gold anomalies positions the company as an interesting prospect for investors seeking exposure to potential new gold discoveries in Western Australia.
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