Ballard Mining (ASX:BM1) said recent drilling at the West Knell prospect in Western Australia identified the highest gold values ever encountered by the company at the Mt Ida gold project, according to a Monday filing with the Australian bourse.

Drilling at the north end of the deposit intersected nine meters at 27.1 grams per tonne grade of gold from 191 meters, representing the highest intercept reported by Ballard at Mt Ida, per the filing.

Additional drilling results from other prospects include two meters at 5.6 g/t gold from 69 meters, four meters at 7.2 g/t gold from 192 meters, and two meters at 4.4 g/t gold from 35 meters.

The grant of the West Knell mining lease and an updated mineral resource estimate for Mt Ida are both expected in the current quarter, the company said.

Ballard Mining shares gained over 5% in recent Monday trade.