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Ballard Mining has identified a major geophysical target extending approximately 1100m beneath the surface at its Baldock deposit in Western Australia, strengthening the potential for further resource growth at the Mt Ida gold project.
The discovery follows downhole geophysical surveys that identified an 800m by 500m conductive plate extending approximately 485m below the deepest interpreted mineralised lodes.
The conductor aligns with several known gold-bearing structures, suggesting the Baldock mineralised system could extend considerably deeper than its existing 1.36-million-ounce mineral resource.
Recent drilling has also delivered high-grade gold intersections outside the current resource estimate, including 1.2m at 20.9 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 775.8m and 1.5m at 13.4g/t gold from 425.6m.
Ballard managing director Paul Brennan said the results continued to demonstrate Mt Ida’s broader exploration potential.
“These results provide further evidence that the Mt Ida mineralised systems continue beyond the drilling incorporated into our recent 1.84-million-ounce mineral resource update,” Brennan said.
“At Baldock, the latest drilling has returned additional high-grade intersections at depth, while geophysics suggests mineralisation could potentially extend 485 metres below the Baldock MRE,”
Other significant Baldock intersections included 0.35m at 41.8g/t gold from approximately 320m and 1.1m at 11.1g/t gold from 869m.
The results were received after the drilling cut-off for Ballard’s September mineral resource estimate (MRE) and have not been incorporated into its existing resource inventory.
As previously reported, Ballard recently increased Mt Ida’s global resource by 56 per cent to 1.84 million ounces, with Baldock accounting for approximately 1.36 million ounces.
The latest drilling also identified additional mineralisation at regional prospects, including Ayla, Vortex, Astro-Quasar and Sandstone.
At Ayla, drilling returned 7m at 2.5g/t gold from 99m and 3m at 4.5g/t gold from 69m, extending the potential footprint of mineralisation south of the existing West Knell resource.
“Broad, shallow results at regional prospects Ayla and Vortex also highlight the resource growth opportunities emerging across Mt Ida,” Brennan said.
The regional results build on Ballard’s previous exploration success at satellite deposits, which are being assessed as potential additional ore sources for a standalone Mt Ida operation.
Meanwhile, Ballard recently secured $45 million in placement commitments to accelerate resource drilling, early infrastructure works and development studies ahead of a potential final investment decision.
The company’s latest exploration campaign comprised 221 holes totalling 38,135 m across Mt Ida during July–September.
“The results strengthen our confidence in the potential for continued mineral resource growth at Mt Ida,” Brennan said.
“Geological modelling and follow-up drilling are underway, with the new information to be assessed for incorporation into future mineral resource updates.”
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