Alkane Strikes Gold: Exceptional Drill Results Boost Tomingley's Future
Alkane Resources Ltd (ASX:ALK) has revealed outstanding high-grade gold intercepts from its resource expansion and pre-mining grade control drilling at the Tomingley Gold Operations in Central New South Wales, confirming significant potential for mine life extension and resource growth.
Underground Drilling Unveils Exceptional Gold Values
The latest drilling program has delivered remarkable results across two key deposit areas:
At Caloma One, underground resource expansion drilling of 71 holes (15,264 meters) targeting multiple lode structures has intercepted exceptional high-grade zones, including:
- 3.1 meters grading 196.95g/t Au including 1 meter at a staggering 589g/t Au (hole CL1UG253D)
- 6 meters grading 29.92g/t Au (hole CL1UG238D)
- 8 meters grading 25.47g/t Au including 3.2 meters at 62.38g/t Au (hole CL1UG292D)
- 4.5 meters grading 28.48g/t Au (hole CL1UG250D)
At the Roswell deposit, pre-mining grade control drilling has confirmed multiple wide, high-grade gold intercepts, including:
- 58 meters grading 11.59g/t Au including 5 meters at 82.51g/t Au (hole ROSUG513D)
- 56.8 meters grading 4.75g/t Au (hole ROSUG512D)
- 57.05 meters grading 3.84g/t Au (hole ROSUG511D)
- 47 meters grading 5.07g/t Au including 7 meters at 16.74g/t Au (hole ROSUG521D)
Understanding Orogenic Lode-Style Gold Deposits
The Tomingley gold deposits represent classic orogenic lode-style gold mineralisation – a deposit type responsible for many of the world's major gold mining districts. These deposits form when gold-bearing fluids move along structural pathways (faults and fractures) during mountain-building events.
At Tomingley, mineralisation is associated with a sericite-carbonate-albite-quartz-pyrite-arsenopyrite alteration assemblage within a tightly folded Ordovician volcano-sedimentary sequence. Understanding the geology of ore deposits is crucial for successful exploration programs. The gold-bearing fluids were focused by differential strain around andesite sills due to the rheological contrast between these competent sills and the surrounding volcaniclastic sediments.
This geological setting creates two key mineralisation styles:
- Shear-hosted sheeted quartz vein and breccia deposits within and adjacent to andesite bodies
- Mineralisation along carbonaceous mudstone strata that acted as both a focus for shearing and a chemical trap for gold
Understanding this deposit style has allowed Alkane to successfully target extensions to the known resource.
Tomingley's Expanding Footprint
Tomingley Gold Operations is an established mining operation that commenced in 2014, featuring both open pit and underground mining with a 1Mtpa processing facility. The operation is currently mining from multiple underground deposits:
- Wyoming One
- Caloma One
- Caloma Two
- Roswell (which began stope ore production in April 2024)
The Caloma One system extends approximately 600 metres in north-south strike with up to 20 metres in width, hosting multiple lodes. The current drilling program is targeting extensions to Lodes 13, 18, 19, 54, 55, 58, and 59.
The Roswell deposit forms part of a semi-continuous north-south zone of mineralisation trending over 1.5 kilometres, with the southernmost section extending over 400 metres strike length and up to 100 metres width.
Future Growth Potential
Alkane Managing Director Nic Earner emphasised the significant resource expansion potential: "Most of Tomingley's deposits remain open at depth and along strike. This drilling further demonstrates the significant resource expansion potential across the mine site."
The company plans to:
- Evaluate the economic recovery potential of the new Caloma One lodes
- Potentially conduct further drilling to allow inclusion of these zones into reserves
- Use the Roswell pre-mine grade control results in future reserve updates
- Continue underground drilling at other deposits including Caloma Two and Wyoming One
Investment Thesis: Why Alkane Deserves Attention
Alkane Resources Ltd gold drilling results have positioned the company as an emerging multi-mine gold and copper producer in Australia, with several compelling factors making it an attractive investment opportunity:
-
Growing Production Profile: Tomingley's operating plans extend beyond 2030, with these new high-grade results potentially extending mine life further
-
Exploration Upside: The company has demonstrated exceptional exploration success both at Tomingley and with its landmark porphyry gold-copper discovery at Boda in 2019
-
Strong Regional Position: Alkane controls several highly prospective gold and copper tenements in the Central West NSW region, an emerging significant gold market and copper production hub
-
Resource Growth Potential: The consistent identification of new high-grade zones at existing deposits highlights the potential for significant resource expansion without major capital investment
-
Strategic Diversification: Beyond its operational assets, Alkane maintains strategic investments in other gold exploration and aspiring mining companies
For investors looking to expand their portfolio, understanding the timeless investing rules can help evaluate opportunities in the mining sector. Additionally, Australia's growing position in critical minerals such as rare earth supply adds further context to the country's resource potential.
The latest Alkane Resources Ltd gold drilling results reinforce the company's growth strategy and demonstrate its ability to expand resources through successful exploration. With operations generating cash flow and substantial exploration upside, Alkane presents a compelling opportunity for investors seeking exposure to an established gold producer with significant growth potential.
Key Takeaway: Alkane Resources Ltd has positioned itself as a growing Australian gold producer with Tomingley's exceptional high-grade drill results demonstrating significant resource expansion potential. With multiple mining areas, a clear growth strategy, and exploration success across its portfolio, investing in mining stocks like Alkane could be worth consideration as investors should keep a close eye on Alkane's continued development.
Ready to Identify the Next Major Mining Discovery?
Discover potentially transformative mineral announcements before the market with Discovery Alert's proprietary Discovery IQ model, which instantly analyses ASX announcements to identify high-potential discoveries like Alkane Resources' recent gold intercepts. Explore how significant mineral discoveries can generate substantial returns by visiting Discovery Alert's dedicated discoveries page and position yourself ahead of the market.
