- Duke Exploration (DEX) is launching a major reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at its flagship Bundarra project in the coalfields of central Queensland
- Up to 46 RC drill holes have been planned with an initial focus on recently identified primary targets in the South West
- A total of eight targets will be drilled and ranked according to priority, with each of the targets showing either historic copper mineralization or elevated levels of copper in the soils.
- Drilling is expected to take three to four months with results expected to be received periodically starting in eight weeks.
- Duke shares were down 2.94% at 16.5 cents
Duke Exploration (DEX) has launched a major reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at its flagship Bundarra project in the central Queensland coalfields.
Up to 46 RC holes, for 11,600 yards, have been planned with an initial focus on prime targets in the southwest.
These targets were recently identified as a direct result of the extensive exploration program undertaken in the second half of 2021.
The objective is to identify copper mineralized targets that have the potential to increase the Bundarra project’s current resource base.
A total of eight targets will be drilled and ranked according to priority, with each of the targets showing either historic copper mineralization or elevated levels of copper in the soils.
The drilling has been classified into three priority levels with priority one holes to be drilled first, followed by priority two holes which will aim to test the extent of the mineralisation.
If these holes are successful, priority three holes will be drilled to further extend the extent of the mineralization and lay the foundation for defining a new mineral deposit.
South Browns
The first target to be drilled is Browns South with recently mapped mineralization corresponding to copper soil anomalies and conductivity anomalies.
The most prominent mineralized zone can be traced for 90 meters along a northeast and northwest dipping structure.
Duke’s upcoming drilling will target this structure using 120 meter drill lines.
Absolon
Absolon has three historic workings with the presence of known mineralization highlighting the prospectivity of the region.
Drilling will test the north-south trending vein along strike and at depth with holes planned to the south where anomalous copper exists.
Quorn
A single diamond hole was drilled at Quorn with five visually mineralized zones intersected with widths ranging from 5 to 16 metres. Testing is pending and will be reported shortly.
The drilling planned by Duke will test the depth and extent of the Quorn Breach.
roger
While assays are pending, recent diamond drilling at Rogers has intersected narrow zones of mineralization, including magnetite-pyrite-chalcopyrite veins.
It also intersected nine mineralized zones, with mineralization plunging north to northwest.
Air of the Hills
Laird of the Hills is home to a historic two-metre-wide well which sits at the center of a larger prospective northeast-facing area.
Drilling will test the interpreted northeast trending mineralized trend starting at the mapped mineralization and extending to the conductive anomalies.
“We have reached a very exciting moment in the evolution of Duke. After a significant and intensive exploration program throughout the third and fourth quarters of 2021, we have identified more than 10 prime targets, eight of which are in the part southwest of the Bundarra Pluton,” Chief Executive Philip Condon said.
“Significantly, there are three new areas of interest that have been identified along with 5 previously known areas of mineralization.
“Drilling has commenced at the Browns South prospect, and the program is expected to be completed over the next 3-4 months assuming no delays, with results to be reported gradually throughout the program from about 8 weeks from now.”
Duke shares were trading at 16.5 cents in early trading, unchanged from yesterday’s close.