Yandal Resources Ltd (ASX:YRL) has mobilised a diamond core rig to the Arrakis Prospect within its Ironstone Well–Barwidgee Gold Project in Western Australia, following receipt of the final reverse circulation (RC) assay results and geological interpretations pointing to a potential large-scale mineralised system.
Follow-up diamond drilling to test Arrakis structure
The company has now received assays from the final three holes of its seven-hole RC program at Arrakis, completed in September. While two of the holes — 25IWBRC0044 and 25IWBRC0046 — ended short of the targeted Arrakis structure, both have provided ideal pre-collars for diamond tail extensions.
Cross-section showing all RC drilling results from 25IWBRC0046, with a simple preliminary interpretation of geology. The section shows all drilling within +/- 50m of the section plane. A proposed diamond tail, that will extend 25IWBRC0046 through the interpreted Arrakis mineralisation, is shown on the section.
Diamond drilling is expected to start in the coming days, including re-entries to extend these holes and several new holes below the standout intercepts reported in late September, such as:
- 54 metres at 1.2 g/t gold from 108 metres, including 8 metres at 4.7 g/t gold to end-of-hole (25IWBRC0040); and
- 50 metres at 1.3 g/t gold from 122 metres, including 28 metres at 1.9 g/t gold (25IWBRC0042).
Cross-section showing all RC drilling results from 25IWBRC0040 and 25IWBRC0041, with a simple preliminary interpretation of geology. The section shows all drilling within +/- 50m of the section plane. The dark blue line represents planned diamond core drilling, including a diamond tail extending 25IWBRC0041 with diamond drilling.
The approximately 2,000-metre diamond program will run over four to six weeks, with results due in December.
Read more: Yandal Resources extends Arrakis gold discovery by 400 metres with fresh rock intercepts
Expanding RC program to map mineralisation
Yandal will also launch a 5,000-metre RC program across 200-metre-spaced lines in November to delineate mineralisation along the 2.2-kilometre Arrakis trend. The follow-up campaign aims to refine geological understanding and support potential resource definition work in 2026.
A collar plan over the Arrakis Prospect within the Caladan target area, showing simplified bedrock geology interpretation. All Yandal drilling is plotted (historic drilling has been excluded). Collars are thematically coloured by max Au (g/t) in the hole. The red line represents the approximate position of the interpreted Arrakis mineralised structure. Dashed yellow polygons represent air-core regolith anomalies (Results include ~4m @ 0.1 g/t Au or greater, with the upper profile or the bottom-of-hole sample is 0.1g/t Au or greater).
The company recently secured A$13.5 million in new funding, enabling it to accelerate exploration across key targets at Ironstone Well–Barwidgee, including Arrakis, the New England Granite target area, and the Flushing Meadows deposit.
Read more: Yandal Resources secures $13.5 million to accelerate exploration across key WA gold projects
Potential in evolving Arrakis system
Managing director Chris Oorschot said the latest RC results highlight the strength of the geological model and confirm the next phase of diamond drilling is well-placed to intercept the main Arrakis structure.
“While it is disappointing that these final RC holes did not penetrate the targeted Arrakis structure, they provide a perfect pre-collar for diamond drilling, potentially enabling speedy access to oriented diamond core intercepting the Arrakis structure,” Oorschot said.
“Arrakis is the result of an exploration strategy centred on delivering large-scale discoveries,” he added. “There is plenty of work ahead, with early results suggesting an extensive mineralised system. Looking ahead, the team will focus on understanding the full extent of mineralisation over the coming months.”
Busy exploration pipeline ahead
Beyond Arrakis, Yandal maintains an active pipeline with upcoming results from air-core drilling at the New England Granite target and completion of the Gordons Gold Project sale for A$2.81 million.
Located 60 kilometres south of Northern Star’s Jundee mining complex and 18 kilometres north of the recent Siona discovery, Arrakis forms part of the company’s broader push to unlock new gold systems across the Yandal Greenstone Belt.
Yandal Resource exploration Project locations within the Yandal Greenstone Belt. The Arrakis Prospect is located within the Caladan target area.