Moonlight pushes QLD gold system length past 1km

Moonlight Resources has expanded the mineralised footprint of its Clermont gold project in Queensland to more than one kilometre of strike following the completion of the third batch of assays from 37 holes drilled over 6126 metres during its Phase 2 Reverse Circulation (RC) program. The results reveal widespread and consistent gold mineralisation across the project, with several notable intersections highlighting the potential of the Leo Grande shear zone. The Phase 2 RC program delivered several key findings, including a 24-metre interval grading 1.22 grams per tonne (g/t) gold starting at 87 metres depth. Within this interval, a 9-metre segment returned 1.28 g/t gold, and a 2-metre portion yielded 4.47 g/t gold. Additional highlights included a 19-metre section at 1.95 g/t gold from 99 metres, which featured a 6-metre stretch grading 2.29 g/t gold. Another 19-metre interval at 1.36 g/t gold from 142 metres contained a 1-metre segment grading 8.39 g/t gold. These results confirm the extension of the mineralised Leo Grande shear zone both north and south of the central area, significantly enhancing the project's scale. Greg Starr, managing director of Moonlight Resources, stated that the Phase 2 RC program has greatly improved their understanding of the Leo Grande structure. Initially aimed at validating historical drilling, the program has instead revealed a continuous gold-bearing shear system extending over more than 1 km of strike. Starr noted that the central area continues to produce broad and occasionally higher-grade mineralisation, while ongoing drilling at Goldfinger and Peak Downs suggests further discovery opportunities within the broader Clermont project. Moonlight Resources, which listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in December 2025 following a $10 million initial public offering (IPO), has rapidly developed its Clermont project in the Drummond Basin of central Queensland. This basin is known for producing over 6.5 million ounces of gold historically. The company's project spans 268 square kilometres and includes several prospects such as Leo Grande, Goldfinger, Petersens, and Peak Downs. While Leo Grande remains the primary focus, Moonlight is also conducting its first RC drilling campaign at the Goldfinger prospect, a high-grade gold target located south of Leo Grande. Additionally, the company has initiated its first drill program at the Peak Downs prospect, which targets copper alongside gold. Following the completion of the Phase 2 RC program at Leo Grande Central, South, and North, Moonlight plans to conduct a short diamond drilling campaign to better understand the geological controls of the mineralisation before releasing its maiden mineral resource estimate. With the final assays from Leo Grande still pending, a diamond rig is set to begin operations soon, while drilling activities have already commenced at Goldfinger and Peak Downs. The company is advancing multiple projects simultaneously, focusing on securing a maiden resource estimate for its flagship discovery while exploring other prospects within its Clermont portfolio. Moonlight Resources also holds a large-scale position at the MacDonnell Ranges Rare Earth Elements (REE)-Uranium project in the Northern Territory and has submitted a project application for the Drysdale Project in Western Australia, which targets uranium. These diverse interests reflect the company's strategy to expand its presence across different commodities and regions. As the company moves forward with its exploration programs and prepares for its maiden resource estimate, the potential for further discoveries and increased shareholder value remains high.