Ora Banda Mining (ASX: OBM) has released a significant Ora Banda exploration update from its Little Gem Prospect, located within its Davyhurst Gold Project in Western Australia. The latest drilling has expanded the mineralised envelope to more than 1,500 metres of strike and 750 metres vertically below surface, with mineralisation remaining open in all directions.
Figure 1: Regional map showing the Riverina, Little Gem Trend and surrounding prospects [Courtesy: Ora Banda Mining]
The update also confirmed the discovery of the Sapphire Trend, a new mineralised structure located 200 metres east of the Little Gem Trend, running parallel to it. A maiden mineral resource estimate for Little Gem is expected in the second half of the 2026 calendar year, with drilling currently ongoing.
Drilling Confirms a Growing Multi-Lode System at Little Gem
Scale Expands Beyond Previous Boundaries
The Ora Banda Mining Company profile at Little Gem has grown materially with this program. The mineralised envelope has now been confirmed at over 1,500 metres of strike and 750 metres below surface, with mineralisation open at depth and along strike in all directions.
More than 150 drill holes have now been completed across the Little Gem Prospect. The Little Gem Trend forms part of a broader north-south striking system that extends from Riverina to Sunraysia over a total strike of 7.5 kilometres.
Figure 2: Drone image looking north showing the location of the Little Gem and Sapphire Trends near the Riverina Mine. [Courtesy: Ora Banda Mining]
Standout Drill Intercepts from the Little Gem Trend
The Ora Banda exploration update returned high-grade results across multiple holes on the Little Gem Trend. Significant intercepts include:
- 10.0 metres at 6.9 g/t gold, including 2.0 metres at 26.9 g/t gold
- 6.0 metres at 11.3 g/t gold, including 1.0 metre at 60.0 g/t gold
- 20.1 metres at 2.9 g/t gold, including 0.8 metres at 11.3 g/t gold
- 16.0 metres at 3.0 g/t gold, including 1.0 metre at 17.2 g/t gold
- 14.9 metres at 3.2 g/t gold, including 0.9 metres at 11.0 g/t gold
Both the Little Gem and Sapphire Trends are broad north-south striking mineralised packages composed of multiple sub-parallel and sub-vertical gold lodes. The mineralisation geometry remains predictable as drill spacing reduces, with macro high-grade plunges identified at approximately 30 degrees to the south, consistent with those seen at Riverina.
The Sapphire Trend Opens a Second Exploration Corridor
A New Lode System Confirmed 200 Metres East of Little Gem
Step-out drilling confirmed the Sapphire Trend 200 metres east of the Little Gem Trend. The Sapphire Trend presents as a new potential lode system running parallel to Little Gem and has not yet been specifically targeted in dedicated exploration programs.
Figure 3: Oblique geological view illustrating the Riverina–Sunraysia mineralised corridor along the Little Gem Trend. [Courtesy: Ora Banda Mining]
Significant intercepts from the Sapphire Trend include 18.0 metres at 2.7 g/t gold, 10.2 metres at 4.2 g/t gold, including 0.4 metres at 39.5 g/t gold, and 11.5 metres at 2.8 g/t gold, including 0.9 metres at 15.2 g/t gold. These results point to the growing significance of the Sapphire Trend’s mineralisation potential.
Sunraysia Prospect Adds Further Strike to the System
Drilling at the Sunraysia Prospect, located 3 kilometres south of the Little Gem Prospect on the same Little Gem Trend, has added a further 800 metres of prospective strike. Mineralisation at Sunraysia remains open to the south.
Figure 4: Long-section view of the Riverina to Sunraysia system highlighting significant drill intersections along the Little Gem Trend. [Courtesy: Ora Banda Mining]
Significant intercepts at Sunraysia include 9.0 metres at 4.1 g/t gold including 2.0 metres at 14.5 g/t gold, and 3.0 metres at 9.3 g/t gold including 1.0 metre at 21.2 g/t gold. These results confirm the ongoing growth potential of the broader region along the Little Gem Trend.
Management Comments on Scale and Organic Growth Potential
Luke Creagh Flags Maiden Resource Estimate on Track
Managing Director Luke Creagh described the drill results as confirmation of the scale and quality of the Little Gem system. He said exploration step-outs at the Sapphire Trend and Sunraysia Prospect demonstrate the outstanding potential of the area.
Mr Creagh stated the work being done is a reminder of the enormous organic growth potential of the Company’s ground. Ora Banda Mining looks forward to delivering a maiden mineral resource estimate for Little Gem in the second half of the 2026 calendar year.
Industry Outlook
Australian gold mining news continues to attract strong investor attention in 2026, supported by elevated gold prices and growing demand for domestic production. Western Australia remains the country’s most active gold exploration jurisdiction, with mid-tier Companies advancing high-quality discoveries toward resource definition. The trend toward near-mine organic resource growth, demonstrated by the expansion at Little Gem across multiple parallel trends, reflects a broader industry shift toward in-ground discovery as a value driver.
Ora Banda Share Price
Ora Banda Mining (ASX: OBM) is currently trading at $1.442 per share. The Company carries a market capitalisation of $2.72 billion. The 52-week range stands at $0.620 to $1.720 per share.
Figure 5: Share price performance of Ora Banda Mining Limited (ASX: OBM) over the past year. [Courtesy: ASX]
Future Direction and Impact
The Ora Banda Mining Company profile at Little Gem is developing rapidly, with the addition of the Sapphire Trend and the Sunraysia extension significantly widening the exploration window. The maiden mineral resource estimate expected in the second half of 2026 will be the next key milestone.
For those following Australian gold mining news, the Little Gem system now presents a multi-trend, multi-lode discovery with mineralisation open in all directions. The Ora Banda exploration update released on 12 Mar 2026 reinforces the Company’s position as one of the more active and results-driven gold explorers in Western Australia this year.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the Ora Banda Mining Company profile at Little Gem?
Ans. Ora Banda Mining (ASX: OBM) is advancing the Little Gem Prospect as part of its Davyhurst Gold Project in Western Australia. The system has now been confirmed at more than 1,500 metres of strike and 750 metres below surface, with a maiden mineral resource estimate expected in the second half of 2026.
Q2. What did the latest Ora Banda exploration update confirm?
Ans. The update confirmed expansion of the Little Gem Prospect’s mineralised envelope and the discovery of the Sapphire Trend, a new parallel lode system located 200 metres east of Little Gem. Over 150 drill holes have been completed, and drilling is ongoing.
Q3. What are the standout drill results from the Little Gem Trend?
Ans. Key intercepts include 10.0 metres at 6.9 g/t gold, including 2.0 metres at 26.9 g/t, and 6.0 metres at 11.3 g/t gold, including 1.0 metre at 60.0 g/t. The Sapphire Trend returned intercepts of 10.2 metres at 4.2 g/t gold, including 0.4 metres at 39.5 g/t gold.
Q4. What is the Sapphire Trend and why does it matter for Australian gold mining news?
Ans. The Sapphire Trend is a newly confirmed mineralised structure running parallel to Little Gem, located 200 metres to the east. It has not yet been specifically targeted by a dedicated program, meaning it represents significant upside for Ora Banda Mining beyond the already expanding Little Gem system.
Q5. When will Ora Banda Mining deliver its maiden resource estimate for Little Gem?
Ans. Ora Banda Mining has guided for the maiden mineral resource estimate for the Little Gem Prospect to be delivered during the second half of the 2026 calendar year. Drilling remains ongoing as of the date of the announcement on 12 Mar 2026.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. All content is based on the ASX announcement released by Ora Banda Mining Limited on 12 Mar 2026, approved for release by the Ora Banda Board of Directors. Exploration results are reported as downhole lengths; true widths have not been determined. Investing in securities involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Readers should conduct their own research and seek independent financial advice before making any investment decisions. Colitco does not hold any position in the companies mentioned.
Sources
Ora Banda Mining Limited — ASX Announcement: Drilling Expands Little Gem, New Sapphire Trend Discovered, 12 Mar 2026
ASX Market Data — Ora Banda Mining Limited (ASX: OBM) https://www.asx.com.au/markets/company/OBM
