Carnavale Resources Ltd (ASX:CAV, FRA:YBB) has begun Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) drilling at its Kookynie Gold Project (KGP), located about 60 kilometres south of Leonora and 180 kilometres north of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.
The company has engaged Terra Drilling to carry out diamond drilling, with a dedicated rig now operating as part of the BFS metallurgical drilling program. Two reverse circulation (RC) rigs are expected to mobilise in coming weeks to complete infill resource drilling across the proposed Swiftsure and Tiptoe open pits.
The BFS drilling program includes six diamond holes designed to recover about 150 kilograms of core for metallurgical testwork, as well as eight geotechnical diamond holes to support pit slope design assumptions. In addition, Carnavale plans to complete about 9,000 metres of infill RC drilling on a 10-by-10-metre pattern to convert Indicated resources to Measured status and reduce geological risk ahead of mining studies.
Samples from the drilling will also support metallurgical variability testing and waste rock characterisation studies.
“Carnavale has been busy during January in preparation for the extensive drilling campaigns that have kicked off at the Kookynie Gold Project this week. With co-operation from WTAC representing the Nyalpa Pirniku people, we were able to complete heritage surveys across the proposed development area and clear the required drill pads for all of the planned BFS drilling programs in preparation for a quick start to drilling in 2026. This enables Carnavale to fast-track the BFS and bring the KGP to a shovel-ready project by Q3 this year. Carnavale is well funded to complete all of this planned work,” CAV CEO Humphrey Hale said.
Metallurgy, geotechnical and hydrogeology programs
Metallurgical testwork is being undertaken to define gold recoveries across oxide, transitional and fresh material within the Swiftsure and Tiptoe pits. Large-diameter diamond core from the metallurgical holes will be used for detailed crushing and grinding testwork, while additional material from RC drilling will provide broader coverage of grade and lithological variability.
Carnavale is working with SRK Consulting (Australasia) Ltd on waste rock characterisation to inform waste dump design and environmental approvals. The outcomes of this work are expected to support discussions with toll treatment operators and potential processing arrangements for KGP ore.
The diamond rig will transition from metallurgical drilling to geotechnical drilling around proposed pit walls and ramps. The program is designed to provide definitive rock quality data, with scope to optimise pit wall angles and potentially reduce strip ratios.
Hydrogeological studies are also progressing, including a LiDAR survey to support groundwater flow modelling and infrastructure planning. Carnavale has reviewed groundwater levels and salinity data from nearby pits and bores and plans to drill four water bores, including three production bores and one monitoring bore, in March to support dewatering and water balance assessments.
Path to BFS completion
Preparatory work for the BFS drilling was completed in December and January, including ethnographic and archaeological surveys across Mining Licence M40/362 and approval of the relevant programs of works. Drill pad preparation was completed ahead of rig mobilisation.
Indicative timetable for BFS study work.
Cube Consulting Ltd continues to provide resource estimation and mine planning services and will integrate data from infill drilling, metallurgical testwork and geotechnical programs as the BFS advances.
Carnavale expects the BFS to be finalised in Q3 2026, targeting a de-risked initial open pit development scenario with potential for subsequent underground mining, subject to approvals.