Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX:NST) has outlined drilling success across its portfolio, reinforcing the company’s focus on near-mine growth and long-term resource conversion. The company expects to invest A$225 million in exploration during FY26, unchanged from prior guidance, with expenditure weighted toward its largest asset, KCGM.
Managing director Stuart Tonkin said the results reflect ongoing organic growth potential across the group’s operations in Western Australia and Alaska, with drilling aimed at extending mine life, upgrading resources and identifying new high-grade targets.
“Our team continues to balance exploration priorities, from resource definition through to conversion, creating shareholder value by delivering low-cost Resource ounces," Northern Star managing director Stuart Tonkin said.
“At Kalgoorlie, drilling and investment are driving growth, with future options to supply high-margin ore to the expanded Fimiston mill from FY27. At Pogo, new drill drives have enabled extensional drilling, while surface programs advance near-mine opportunities, unlocking high-priority targets such as Goodpaster, Star and Central Link.
“The integration of our recent strategic acquisition, the Hemi Development Project, into our gold inventory is underway, with approvals progressing for what is to become our fourth production centre.”
Kalgoorlie: deeper mineralisation and new targets emerging
At KCGM, drilling at Fimiston South has extended the known mineralisation footprint to 800m below the existing Mineral Resource, supporting future underground development options. Recent surface and underground drilling has confirmed continuity of several lodes at depth.
At Mt Charlotte, Northern Star has identified a new exploration area named Golden Goose, north of the Northern Orebody. Early drilling has produced broad mineralised intervals, including 73.1m at 1.9 g/t gold and 25.6m at 4.0 g/t, with high-grade sub-intervals up to 22.1 g/t. Further infill drilling is planned over the next year.
Across the Kalgoorlie Operations, drilling at the Ballarat–Last Chance prospect west of the Red Hill deposit continues to return significant widths, including 41.9m at 2.8 g/t and 5.0m at 14.7 g/t, indicating potential to add new resources near existing infrastructure. At Hercules, resource upgrade drilling delivered additional high-grade intersections such as 21.3m at 6.1 g/t and 12.9m at 9.7 g/t.
Yandal: extensions near existing mine workings
Exploration at Jundee has identified new high-grade extensions to the Deakin and Barton areas, returning narrow but high-grade intersections including 0.3m at 157.8 g/t and 0.7m at 159.2 g/t.
At Thunderbox, drilling at Wonder West, only 500m from the Wonder underground mine, continues to expand mineralisation below previous drilling. Notable results include 15.5m at 10.3 g/t and 8.7m at 15.8 g/t, confirming down-plunge extensions.
Pogo, Alaska: further high-grade zones identified
At Pogo, surface drilling in the Central Link area has advanced understanding of the structural corridors between Central Lodes and Goodpaster. Underground drilling continues to define resource extensions at East Deep, where intersections include 6.5m at 8.5 g/t and 3.7m at 9.2 g/t.
At the Star prospect, infill drilling confirmed thick high-grade zones including 9.2m at 33.1 g/t and 5.1m at 33.9 g/t, reinforcing geological similarities with the main Pogo lodes. Additional drilling is underway to improve resource definition.
Pilbara: Hemi integration and regional growth
Following the acquisition of the Hemi Development Project earlier in 2025, Northern Star is reviewing all resource and reserve models ahead of integrating Hemi into the company’s Annual Statement in May 2026.
At Hemi, drilling between the Diucon and Crow deposits has identified thicker-than-expected zones of mineralisation at depth, including 3.6m at 19.4 g/t, 2.2m at 37.5 g/t, and broader intervals such as 30m at 1.2 g/t.
Regional drilling at Mt Berghaus, 12km northwest of Hemi, has also returned promising intersections such as 11m at 4.9 g/t and 12m at 5.6 g/t, highlighting the potential for satellite discoveries within the Mallina Basin.
Outlook
Northern Star continues to target long-term resource conversion and near-mine reserve additions, with FY26 exploration activities focusing on its largest production centres and the newly acquired Hemi project.
The company reports an industry-leading A$19/oz cost of resources added for the 12 months to March 2025, highlighting its strategy of low-cost organic growth.