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Great Divide Mining Limited (ASX: GDM) has received outstanding drilling results from its joint venture partner Dart Mining at the Coonambula Antimony-Gold Project in Central Queensland, with the highest gold grades ever recorded at the historic Banshee Antimony Mine. The latest results from drill hole CBADD002 have returned exceptional intersections including 0.5m @ 18.30 g/t Au and 6.5m @ 5.16 g/t Au, marking a significant breakthrough for this remarkable discovery.
The drilling programme continues to deliver impressive results across multiple zones, with gold mineralisation consistently associated with antimony-rich stibnite veining. Furthermore, these results build on previous exceptional findings from hole CBADD001, which returned 5.0m @ 4.33% Sb + 1.69 g/t Au including a spectacular 0.65m @ 32.20% Sb.
"These highest gold grades ever seen at Banshee highlight the technical and operational success of the drilling programme at Coonambula and confirms what we have long believed – Coonambula has the geological architecture to host a large antimony-gold system." – Justin Haines, Managing Director, Great Divide Mining
The latest assay results from drill hole CBADD002 have established new benchmarks for the project, with multiple high-grade intersections across 186.5 metres of drilling. The following table demonstrates the exceptional nature of these results:
| Intersection | Grade (Au) | Grade (Sb) | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5m @ 18.30 g/t Au | 18.30 g/t | 0.01% | Highest single gold assay ever at Banshee |
| 6.5m @ 5.16 g/t Au | 5.16 g/t | 0.15% | Substantial thick gold zone |
| 1.5m @ 7.32 g/t Au | 7.32 g/t | 0.01% | High-grade core within thick zone |
| 1.4m @ 2.00 g/t Au + 0.97% Sb | 2.00 g/t | 0.97% | Combined gold-antimony mineralisation |
The drilling has successfully intersected a thick gold mineralised hydrothermal breccia at depth, which Dart Mining's Chairman James Chirnside describes as potentially reflecting "a deeper gold rich system". Moreover, this discovery is particularly significant as it extends over 200 metres away from the Banshee Pit, demonstrating the scale potential of the mineralised system.
The geological team has identified consistent mineralisation controls, with gold in sericite alteration around quartz veining and stibnite zones within broader gold zones. In addition, this structural understanding is crucial for targeting future drilling and resource estimation.
Antimony is classified as a critical mineral by both Australian and US governments due to its essential role in defence applications, flame retardants, and emerging battery technologies. The metal is primarily extracted from the mineral stibnite (Sb2S3), which forms distinctive metallic grey crystals in hydrothermal vein systems.
For investors, antimony's strategic importance cannot be overstated – China controls over 60% of global production, making diversified supply sources increasingly valuable. The Banshee deposit's high-grade antimony mineralisation, with assays reaching 32.20% Sb, positions it among the highest-grade antimony projects globally.
Under the farm-in agreement with Dart Mining, GDM maintains strategic control whilst benefiting from accelerated exploration. The structure provides significant upside with limited downside risk:
| Milestone | Dart Ownership | Investment Required | GDM Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial payment | 15% | $250,000 (completed) | 85% retained |
| Phase 1 completion | 51% | 4,000m drilling + reports | 49% carried interest |
| Current status | 15% | 1,354m completed | Tenement owner |
This arrangement allows GDM to maintain substantial ownership whilst Dart funds and manages the exploration programme. With 1,354 metres already completed from the required 4,000 metres, the joint venture is progressing rapidly toward the 51% earn-in milestone.
However, GDM retains 100% tenement ownership through its subsidiaries and benefits from a carried interest through early exploration phases. This provides excellent leverage to discovery success without additional capital requirements.
The Coonambula Project benefits from exceptional strategic positioning within Central Queensland's established mining region. The project enjoys multiple locational advantages that significantly enhance its development potential.
Located 70km southeast of Evolution Mining's multi-million-ounce Cracow gold mine and 25km southwest of the historic Eidsvold goldfield, the property sits within established mining infrastructure. Furthermore, it maintains excellent connectivity being 390km by road from Brisbane via sealed highways.
This location provides significant advantages for future development, including access to experienced mining contractors, established supply chains, and proximity to processing facilities. The project's position within the New England Fold Belt places it in the same geological terrain as major antimony-gold deposits including Hillgrove in New South Wales.
The recent drilling results represent a paradigm shift in understanding the Coonambula system's potential. The 18.30 g/t Au intersection establishes new benchmarks for the project and confirms the system extends far beyond historical workings.
For instance, the geological team has identified that mineralisation occurs within distinct structural controls that can be systematically targeted. The consistency of gold-antimony association provides confidence in the predictability of mineralisation across the broader prospect area.
Moreover, the thick mineralised zones suggest a substantial hydrothermal system capable of hosting significant resources. The 6.5m @ 5.16 g/t Au intersection demonstrates that high-grade mineralisation occurs across meaningful widths rather than narrow veins.
The drilling programme continues with multiple catalysts expected over the coming months, providing investors with regular newsflow and value creation opportunities.
Great Divide Mining has positioned itself at the forefront of Australia's critical minerals strategy through the Coonambula breakthrough. The combination of record-breaking gold grades, world-class antimony mineralisation, and strategic joint venture structure creates a compelling investment proposition.
The company's approach of securing established mining areas with historical production and known infrastructure significantly reduces development risk whilst maintaining substantial upside potential. With antimony classified as a critical mineral and global supply constraints tightening, GDM's Coonambula asset represents exposure to both immediate exploration success and long-term strategic value.
The exceptional drilling results demonstrate geological potential that extends well beyond the immediate Banshee mining area. With systematic exploration continuing to expand the known mineralised footprint, investors gain exposure to a rare combination of proven geology and exploration upside within an established mining district.
However, the true value lies in the intersection of geological success with strategic positioning. The project sits within one of Queensland's most prospective antimony-gold terrains, supported by established infrastructure and experienced local mining expertise.
Key Takeaway: Great Divide Mining has delivered exceptional drilling results that confirm Coonambula's potential as a major antimony-gold discovery. With record gold grades, strategic location, and accelerated development through the Dart partnership, GDM offers investors unique exposure to critical minerals success with multiple upcoming catalysts.
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