Duke Exploration Ltd (ASX:DEX)’s scout drilling program, testing for geophysical anomalies and structural targets, is nearing completion at its flagship Bundarra Project in Western Australia.
Drilling will focus on the primary targets identified as a direct result of the extensive exploration program which began last year.
The program includes soil sampling, geological ground truthing and assessment, VTEM and airborne magnetics analysis over the entire Bundarra Intrusive Complex (BIC).
Moving forward, the Bundarra RC scout drilling program is now focused on the Rogers and Valkyrie areas, testing a combination of magnetic and structural targets.
Six-week turnaround on assays
Commenting on the upcoming geophysical and structural target drilling program, Duke managing director Philip Condon said: “As part of our previously reported scout drilling program Duke has now initiated a refined phase of drilling testing a combination of prioritised intrusive,- breccia - and structural related targets generated from continued analysis of our exploration data since Q3, 2021 through to the Rankin targets generated in Q2 2022.
“Once the program in the Rogers and Valkyrie areas is completed, we anticipate an approximate six-week turnaround on assays after which we can finalise a comprehensive Bundarra summary report for market release.”
Drill program
This phase of the scout drilling program will run for a total of four weeks, which includes 400 metres of diamond (DD) and 2,500 metres of reverse circulation (RC) drilling.
The primary targets are located in the southwest of the BIC around Rogers and the central BIC area known as Valkyrie. A follow-up report and assays will follow.
During the program, the company is conducting RC with a DD tail investigation of a prominent magnetic high (Sunny Corner) situated northeast of Rogers prospect.
In addition, it will test the geometry and extent of breccia mineralisation at Rogers.
Furthermore, shallow heel-toe RC drilling south of Mt. Flora testing a prominent magnetic high plus potentially mineralised structures interpreted from a geophysical synthesis.
Forward plan
The Bundarra RC scout drilling program has been initiated, and full results will be reported when received over the next two months.
Drilling will test a combination of magnetic and structural targets across the Rogers and Valkyrie areas.
At Rogers and Sunny Corner, two RC – diamond tail (500m) and two RC boreholes (300m) are planned to test several targets that have emanated from the combined Duke/Rankin target review.
At Valkyrie, shallow heel-toe RC drilling through a variably thick regolith cover will test a conspicuous structurally controlled magnetic high as well as wrench fault structures identified by Rankin (2022) for copper mineralisation.