Leeuwin Metals (ASX:LM1) sharpens the drill bit at Marda Central

Leeuwin Metals (ASX:LM1) is ramping up its focus at the Marda Gold Project in Western Australia, where Executive Chairman Chris Piggott says the company is chasing continuity and scale after a promising first round of drilling.

The Phase 2 program is targeting extensions to shallow, high-grade gold intercepts previously identified at the Marda Central prospect.

Piggott describes the campaign as “a value creating step in progressing Marda toward a potential resource”, adding that Leeuwin is focusing its efforts on zones that showed the strongest mineralisation in Phase 1.

“The Phase 2 program is designed to expand upon the high-grade mineralisation identified in Phase 1 drilling at Marda Central,” Piggott said. “The current campaign will test for strike and down dip extensions across the most prospective zones, with the goal of building a larger footprint of known mineralisation.”

The earlier drilling returned thick, shallow intercepts that provided the kind of grade and continuity needed to support development.

Intercepts such as 22 metres at 1.25 grams per tonne gold, including 3 metres at 6.3 grams per tonne, and deeper hits like 8 metres at 3.04 grams per tonne gave Leeuwin confidence in the robustness of the system.

Piggott noted that the Phase 1 program confirmed the potential for a large, continuous gold system on a granted mining lease. “These results not only validated our geological model but also demonstrated that the mineralisation remains open along strike and at depth.”

Beyond Marda Central, Leeuwin Metals is also laying the groundwork for regional exploration.

The company holds more than 500 square kilometres of tenure in the area, which includes eight historical open pits and a series of targets that have seen little to no modern exploration.

“We are initiating regional exploration across the wider Marda tenement package,” Piggott explained. “This includes geophysics and field mapping to test extensions to the mineralised corridor.”

The broader project area, according to Piggott, has substantial upside potential. “The upcoming regional programs will be instrumental in identifying the next generation of drill targets.”

Timing wise, the Phase 2 drill program is already underway, with results expected in the September quarter.

This will allow Leeuwin to complete the planned holes and carry out detailed analysis.

Once the assays are in, the company plans to assess its next steps, which could include geological modelling, further infill or step out drilling, and potentially a maiden resource estimate.

“Once we receive the results, we will interpret the data and assess the next stages of work,” Piggott said. “This could include progression toward an initial resource estimate if warranted.”

Importantly, Marda is not just prospective, it is accessible.

The project is within trucking distance of multiple processing plants and can be reached via sealed roads from Southern Cross.

It also benefits from being located in an established mining region with existing services and power infrastructure.

“The proximity to infrastructure significantly enhances our development optionality,” said Piggott. “It allows for potential low capital intensity pathways such as toll treating or partnering, and ensures we are not constrained by remote logistics as we advance the project.”

As Leeuwin moves through this second phase of drilling, the company is aiming to transform exploration success into a foundation for development.

With a mix of quality targets, supportive infrastructure and a clear path to resource definition, the months ahead could be formative for both Marda and Leeuwin’s broader gold ambitions.