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Dart Mining (ASX:DTM) has announced exceptional drilling results from its Coonambula Antimony-Gold Project in Central Queensland, marking a significant milestone for the company's Queensland expansion strategy. This Dart Mining strategic divestment into Queensland's prolific gold regions demonstrates the company's commitment to diversifying its exploration portfolio across multiple jurisdictions.
The latest assays from drill hole CBADD002 have delivered the highest single gold assay result recorded at the Banshee antimony mine to date. The standout result features 18.30 g/t Au over 0.5m from 184.5m, representing a major advancement in understanding the mineralisation system at Coonambula.
Located approximately 200m away from the historic Banshee Pit, these results demonstrate the potential for significant strike extensions of the mineralised system. Furthermore, the discovery validates Dart Mining's strategic approach to targeting high-grade gold-antimony systems in established mining jurisdictions.
The exceptional results from CBADD002 include multiple high-grade gold intercepts that surpass previous drilling achievements at the project. The 0.5m @ 18.30 g/t Au intersection at 184.5m depth exceeds the previous highest gold assay of 14.45 g/t Au recorded in historical drilling, according to the company announcement.
Key Highlights from CBADD002:
• 18.30 g/t Au over 0.5m from 184.5m – the highest gold grade recorded at Banshee
• 6.5m @ 5.16 g/t Au + 0.15% Sb from 180.0m
• 7.33 g/t Au + 4.40% Sb over 0.3m from 134.5m
• Multiple high-grade gold intercepts exceeding 7 g/t Au
Detailed Results from CBADD002:
| Interval | From (m) | Width (m) | Au (g/t) | Ag (g/t) | Sb (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Zone | 180.0 | 6.5 | 5.16 | 0.96 | 0.15 |
| High-grade | 182.5 | 1.5 | 7.32 | 0.85 | 0.01 |
| Peak Grade | 184.5 | 0.5 | 18.30 | 1.07 | 0.01 |
| Sb-Au Zone | 134.5 | 0.3 | 7.33 | 1.64 | 4.40 |
These results occur within a broader 6.5-metre mineralised zone averaging 5.16 g/t Au, indicating the presence of a substantial gold system. In addition, the discovery of a thick gold mineralised hydrothermal breccia at the base of CBADD002 suggests the possibility of a significant deeper gold-rich system.
The discovery opens up new exploration targets below the current drilling depth, providing additional upside potential for resource expansion.
"These assays show that the stibnite zones are within the broader gold zones, and compliment previous results from hole CBADD001. This style of mineralisation is proving a good pathfinder – with the gold in sericite alteration around quartz veining," said James Chirnside, Managing Director.
Stibnite represents the primary ore mineral of antimony, a critical metal experiencing unprecedented demand due to its essential role in military applications, flame retardants, and emerging energy technologies. At Coonambula, antimony occurs as massive stibnite veining with proximal disseminated stibnite in layered quartz veins.
The mineralisation develops along major geological structures, creating concentrated zones of economic interest. However, the co-occurrence of high-grade gold with antimony creates a compelling dual-commodity opportunity that enhances project economics significantly.
Gold and silver mineralisation associates with smaller quartz veins in strongly altered zones, predominantly featuring sericite alteration with minor amounts of chlorite alteration. This geological signature provides pathfinder indicators for future exploration targeting.
The dual-commodity nature of the Coonambula discovery presents multiple value drivers:
• Antimony prices have surged over 200% in 2024 due to Chinese export restrictions
• Dual revenue streams from both gold and antimony production potential
• Strategic metal classification makes antimony projects highly sought after by governments
• Processing synergies between gold and antimony extraction methods
The mineralisation style at Coonambula mirrors successful operations like Hillgrove in NSW, where similar antimony-gold systems have supported profitable mining operations across multiple commodity cycles. Consequently, this provides confidence in the economic viability of the mineralisation style.
Dart Mining has completed 1,354 metres of diamond drilling across 11 holes at the Banshee prospect, with results received from the first two holes demonstrating consistent mineralisation. The systematic approach aims to define the full extent of the mineralised system across a 70-metre strike length.
Moreover, the drilling program follows a methodical approach designed to establish a JORC-compliant resource with maximum confidence levels.
The company has outlined clear milestones for the remainder of the exploration program:
• Assays pending from 9 additional drill holes
• 1,900 metres of samples to be dispatched to laboratory before Christmas
• IP Survey results to refine additional drilling targets
• 3D geological model development in progress
The company anticipates receiving all remaining assay results from the 2025 drilling program by February 2026, providing multiple newsflow catalysts for investors over the coming months. These initial results provide confidence in the geological interpretation and drilling strategy moving forward.
Highlight assays from Dart's first hole, CBADD001, included:
• 5.0m @ 4.33% Sb + 1.69 g/t Au + 23.65 g/t Ag from 41.5m
• 1.6m @ 9.47% Sb + 0.35 g/t Au + 4.09 g/t Ag from 68.2m
• Including 0.65m @ 32.20% Sb + 2.91 g/t Au from 42.0m
These results demonstrate the consistency of mineralisation across the prospect area, supporting the geological model developed by the technical team.
The Coonambula project represents this Dart Mining strategic divestment into Queensland's prolific gold regions, located just 70km southeast of the multi-million-ounce Cracow gold mine. The project's 282 square kilometre tenure package provides significant exploration upside across multiple prospects.
Furthermore, the strategic positioning within established gold-producing regions provides access to existing infrastructure and mining expertise. The regional geological setting supports the potential for multiple discovery opportunities across the broader tenure package.
The project benefits from several strategic advantages:
• Established mining jurisdiction with supportive regulatory environment
• Existing infrastructure including sealed roads and nearby townships
• Geological analogues to successful regional operations
• 5-kilometre strike length of prospective antimony-gold mineralisation
The geology consists of Carboniferous to Permian-Triassic granitoid intrusions of the Rawbelle Batholith, intruding older sedimentary sequences. Mineralisation occurs in east-west trending shear zones and structures developed in and adjacent to the granitoid intrusions.
The Farm-In Joint Venture with Great Divide Mining (ASX:GDM) provides Dart with exposure to this highly prospective region whilst maintaining operational control of the exploration program. This structure allows for shared risk whilst preserving upside potential for shareholders.
The exceptional results at Coonambula present a compelling investment proposition combining several key value drivers that distinguish it from single-commodity exploration plays.
The 18.30 g/t Au result ranks amongst the highest-grade gold intersections reported by ASX-listed explorers in 2024, demonstrating the project's potential to host world-class mineralisation. Additionally, the antimony grades of up to 32.20% Sb provide substantial value creation potential from strategic metal exposure.
This combination of exceptional grades across dual commodities creates multiple pathways for value realisation through development or strategic partnership opportunities.
The timing of these discoveries aligns with favourable market conditions for both commodities. With antimony classified as a critical metal and gold maintaining strong pricing dynamics, this Dart Mining strategic divestment into Queensland positions the company to benefit from multiple commodity tailwinds.
However, the dual-commodity nature provides natural portfolio diversification within a single project, reducing commodity-specific risks whilst maximising revenue potential through multiple income streams.
The methodical drilling program and geological interpretation provide confidence in the company's ability to define and expand the mineral resource. The discovery of mineralised breccia zones suggests potential for larger-scale systems beneath current drilling depths.
Consequently, the systematic approach reduces execution risk whilst maximising the probability of defining economic mineral resources across multiple prospects within the tenure package.
The timing of these exceptional results aligns with favourable market conditions across both target commodities. Gold prices remain supported by global economic uncertainties and central bank buying, whilst antimony has experienced dramatic price appreciation due to supply constraints.
The strategic metal classification of antimony by multiple governments creates additional upside potential for projects demonstrating economic viability. Moreover, dual-commodity projects like Coonambula offer natural hedging against commodity price volatility whilst maximising revenue potential.
The antimony component of the discovery provides exposure to the critical metals investment theme, which has gained significant momentum following supply chain disruptions. Government stockpiling programs and strategic metal classifications create additional value drivers beyond traditional commodity pricing mechanisms.
This positions the project favourably for potential government partnerships or strategic investment from critical metals-focused funds and institutions.
Dart Mining has outlined clear next steps to advance the Coonambula project, providing investors with multiple newsflow catalysts over the coming months.
The company has identified several immediate objectives:
• Complete and interpret IP Survey results to refine geological targeting
• Report remaining diamond drilling assay results as received from laboratory
• Continue drilling to test the Banshee antimony and gold mineralisation trend
• Refine drill planning based on IP Survey results and geological interpretation
Looking ahead, Dart Mining has established medium-term milestones:
• Develop comprehensive 3D geological model incorporating all drilling results
• Declare JORC-compliant resource at the earliest opportunity
• Advance additional targets identified through systematic exploration programs
With nine drill holes awaiting assay results and additional drilling planned based on IP survey outcomes, this Dart Mining strategic divestment into Queensland offers investors sustained newsflow and discovery potential throughout 2025.
The systematic approach to exploration and resource definition provides multiple opportunities for value creation through both exploration success and strategic partnerships within the critical metals sector.
The record-breaking results at Coonambula, combined with strategic antimony exposure and systematic exploration approach, create multiple pathways for value creation. With substantial drilling results pending and a clear pathway to resource definition, DTM represents a compelling opportunity in the critical metals and gold exploration space.
The next six months prove crucial as assay results continue flowing and the company advances toward declaring its maiden JORC resource at Coonambula. For investors seeking exposure to critical metals and high-grade gold discovery potential, the exceptional drilling results and strategic Queensland positioning warrant close attention.
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