Gold Strikes Continue at Lachlan Star's Killaloe Project
Lachlan Star Limited (ASX: LSA) has reported further high-grade gold results from its Lachlan Star Killaloe gold project near Norseman, Western Australia, confirming multiple gold-bearing structures with significant expansion potential.
Multiple Gold Zones Validated with High-Grade Results
Recent Reverse Circulation (RC) and Aircore (AC) drilling at the Duke Main Gold Zone has returned impressive intercepts including:
- 9m @ 2.11g/t Au from 81m, including 2m @ 8.60g/t Au from 83m
- 24m @ 0.70g/t Au from 8m, including 4m @ 1.39g/t Au from 28m
- 22m @ 0.65g/t Au from 8m, including 2m @ 1.28g/t Au from 28m
These results demonstrate a broad, shallow zone of gold mineralisation with higher-grade internal shoots that remain open at depth and along strike to the north. The known strike extent of mineralisation at the Duke Main Gold Zone now exceeds 425 meters.
Importantly, several reconnaissance holes ended in mineralisation, including a hole that returned 6m @ 2.33g/t Au from 48m to end-of-hole, with 1m @ 4.79g/t Au from 52m. This indicates potential for significant gold intercepts persisting at greater depths.
Understanding Gold Mineralisation at Killaloe
Gold mineralisation at the Lachlan Star Killaloe gold project appears to be associated with silica-sericite-pyrite alteration with quartz veining, hosted within ultramafic and basalt rock sequences that have been intruded by gabbro and granodiorite.
At the Duchess Prospect, gold is related to abundant quartz veining associated with a quartz-feldspar porphyritic intrusion emplaced into a pyroxenite ultramafic unit. This porphyry extends for up to 1 kilometer along strike and shows strong spatial coincidence with gold-in-soil anomalies, yet remains largely untested by drilling.
Strategic Expansion of Project Footprint
Recognising the area's prospectivity, Lachlan Star has lodged two new Exploration License Applications, increasing the Lachlan Star Killaloe gold project footprint to approximately 137km². These applications cover prospective ground that overlies the Woolyeenyer Formation, which hosts Pantoro Limited's Norseman operations (4.7Moz Gold Mineral Resource).
| Killaloe Project Tenement Status | |
|---|---|
| Granted Licenses | E63/1018 (80% owned), E63/1713 (100%), M63/177 (100%) |
| New Applications | E63/2516 (100%), E63/2517 (100%) |
| Total Project Area | ~137km² |
Promising Geological Setting
The Lachlan Star Killaloe gold project overlies a highly prospective greenstone belt, interpreted as the southern extension of the Kambalda Domain, home to major gold-producing districts including Gold Fields' St Ives and Westgold Resources' Higginsville operations.
"These latest results from Killaloe continue to demonstrate the potential of the Duke and Duchess Prospects, and the broader Project area, to host significant gold mineralisation. We look forward to receiving the remaining assay results from the recent drilling completed across the Project. Preparations are underway for a program of follow-up AC and RC/Diamond in-fill drilling anticipated in the coming months."
– Andrew Tyrrell, CEO
What is Supergene Gold Enrichment?
Many of the gold intersections at the Lachlan Star Killaloe gold project occur within the "supergene-enriched oxidised saprolite profile." This geological term refers to a natural process where weathering and groundwater movement have concentrated gold near the surface.
When primary gold-bearing rocks weather, the gold can be dissolved and then redeposited in higher concentrations in the oxidized zone above the water table. This process often creates a blanket of enriched gold mineralisation that can be more extensive and higher grade gold than the primary mineralisation below.
For investors, supergene enrichment is significant because:
- It can create shallow, higher-grade gold zones that are potentially easier and cheaper to mine
- These zones often have better metallurgical recovery characteristics
- The presence of supergene gold may indicate primary gold sources at depth
Future Plans and Timeline
Lachlan Star's exploration strategy for Killaloe includes:
- Receiving and analysing remaining assay results expected in August
- Integrating all drilling results with existing geological interpretations and geophysical datasets
- Assessing controls on gold mineralisation through detailed structural and geochemical analysis
- Planning follow-up deeper RC and diamond drilling to test extensions at Duke and Duchess
- Conducting additional reconnaissance AC drilling across the broader project area
The company aims to unlock the full potential of the project, which remains largely under-explored despite its favourable geological setting.
Investment Thesis: Why Killaloe Matters
Killaloe represents a compelling gold exploration opportunity for several key reasons:
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Location in a Tier-1 Mining District: The project is situated in Western Australia's Eastern Goldfields, one of the world's premier gold provinces with established infrastructure and mining services.
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Multiple Gold Targets: Recent drilling has already identified several gold-bearing targets at Duke and Duchess prospects that remain open along strike and at depth.
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Highly Prospective Geology: The project overlies the southern extension of the Kambalda Domain, home to major gold operations like St Ives and Higginsville.
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Minimal Modern Exploration: Despite its favourable geological setting, the area remains largely under-explored, creating potential for significant discoveries.
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Expanding Land Position: Recent tenement applications have increased the project footprint to 137km², covering additional prospective ground.
Why Investors Should Follow Lachlan Star
Lachlan Star represents an opportunity to gain exposure to a systematic, well-executed gold exploration program in one of Australia's premier gold regions. The company's recent drilling success demonstrates the potential for gold mineralisation extension at Killaloe.
With assay results still pending for additional drilling and plans for follow-up programs already in development, the coming months should deliver a steady stream of news flow. The expanded tenement package strengthens the company's position in the region and provides additional exploration targets.
As gold prices remain strong and investor interest in the sector continues to grow, junior explorers with quality projects in tier-one jurisdictions like Lachlan Star offer compelling value propositions for investors seeking exposure to potential new gold discoveries.
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