Yandal Resources Ltd (ASX:YRL) has reported further fire assay results from air-core (AC) drilling at the New England Granite (NEG) target area within its 100%-owned Ironstone Well-Barwidgee (IWB) Gold Project, highlighting shallow high-grade gold at the Salusa prospect.
Assays have been received for 38 AC holes totalling 3,300 metres from a partially completed program across the southern portion of the NEG intrusive complex. Drilling was completed on 100-metre-spaced east-west lines and designed to test large-scale structural targets while mapping alteration and geochemical signatures considered potentially comparable to those associated with the company’s 2024 Siona gold discovery.
Air-core drilling highlights
Key intercepts reported from the program include:
- 6 metres at 6.3grams per ton (g/t) Au from 36 metres in hole 25IWBAC173, including 2 metres at 18.2g/t Au from 36 metres
- 2 metres at 6.0g/t Au from 46 metres in 25IWBAC142, including 1 metres at 11.3g/t Au from 46 metres
- 5 metres at 1.6g/t Au from 49 metres in 25IWBAC168
- 18 metres at 0.3g/t Au from 24 metres in 25IWBAC134
Cross-section showing AC drilling results from 25IWBAC173, with a simple preliminary interpretation of geology.
“These air-core results continue to build on the discovery potential of the broader New England Granite target area. Our best intercept, which includes 2m @ 18.2g/t, is associated with an intrusive contact proximal to an interpreted northeast striking structure,” Yandal Resources’ managing director, Chris Oorschot, said.
“This same structure may have also been intercepted 120m to the southwest with 2m @ 6.0g/t in 25IWBAC142. We will assess whether similar grades continue into fresh rock and test strike continuity associated with the intrusive contact. Positive results would signify another potential gold discovery within NEG.
“Today's results reinforce the potential we see in the structural targets identified on the western side of the 4km by 2km intrusive complex. We are particularly interested in the NEG01 target further to the north (Figure 3), given the prevalence of mineralisation along the deformed south margin.
“Once heritage clearances are received, we are well prepared to quickly respond with an expanded AC drilling program across the western side of NEG. ”
Plan showing Yandal drilling completed across the Salusa Prospect, located on the southern point of the NEG target area. The plan shows the AC drilling lines completed overlying a simplified bedrock geology plan with interpreted structures. The location of the 2150mN section is also shown.
Geological interpretation and priority target flagged
The AC intercepts align with interpreted structural features at Salusa, located on the southern extent of the NEG intrusive complex, and noted multiple holes ended in anomalism or mineralisation.
The company highlighted 25IWBAC173 as a priority follow-up target, with the higher-grade zone interpreted to correlate with an intrusive contact adjacent to the main NEG intrusive complex. Yandal said this mineralisation is associated with a previously defined structure that may also have been intersected in 25IWBRC142 about 120 metres along strike to the southwest.
Bottom-of-hole multi-element results from the completed AC drilling are expected by the end of the March quarter, with Yandal planning to use the dataset to assess the presence of Siona-style multi-element pathfinder signatures.
Next steps: more AC and follow-up RC drilling
Further drilling is planned once final heritage clearance is received. Yandal intends to start a 40–50 hole AC program across the western margin of the NEG, targeting structural corridors labelled NEG01–03. Initial follow-up reverse circulation (RC) drilling is scheduled for early in the June quarter to test several of the higher-grade AC intercepts reported in the latest results.
Yandal also outlined near-term exploration activity and news flow across its portfolio:
Arrakis discovery
- Further assay results from the 2025 Arrakis RC (7 holes) and diamond drilling (2 holes) program expected throughout January.
- AC results from three lines southeast of Arrakis anticipated shortly.
- RC and limited diamond drilling across 100m lines scheduled to commence in March 2026.
New England Granite target area
- Further AC drilling on the western margin of NEG scheduled for the June quarter.
- Follow-up RC drilling across Salusa scheduled for the June quarter.
Flushing Meadows (MRE 268koz at 1.1g/t Au)
- Heritage surveys are scheduled for late in the March quarter.
Exploration infrastructure
- Preparations underway for a Q1 CY2026 ramp-up after the wet season, including establishment of a 21-person camp and expansion of the operational team.
- Key management site visit planned for late January ahead of camp establishment and finalisation of exploration programs.