Novo Resources Corp (TSX:NVO, OTCQX:NSRPF, ASX:NVO, FRA:1NOR) is using the first months of 2026 to turn fresh funding into field activity, with drilling set to begin later this month at its Wyloo antimony project in the Pilbara as the opening move in a broader exploration push across its WA portfolio. The campaign marks the company’s first drill testing at Wyloo and is expected to provide an early read on the antimony and polymetallic potential of a target sharpened by previous sampling and follow-up work.
For Novo, the program is a key step in moving the project from target generation to drill-ready execution, while setting up follow-on campaigns at Cronus and Balla Balla later in Q2.
Novo Pilbara and Onslow District tenure showing significant prospects and location of the planned drilling at Wyloo, Cronus, Balla Balla and Teichman Projects in the Pilbara.
The initial program will comprise about 2,500 metres of RC drilling designed to test the project’s polymetallic vein system, mineralised structures and possible stratabound mineralisation. The company has also flagged contingency to extend drilling under shallow cover if early results warrant it.
Drill sites have already been prepared at the previously undrilled Wyloo. At Wyloo SE, maiden drilling is planned to target the main ENE-trending polymetallic vein array, the Tasha Fault zone and WNW-trending stratigraphy, particularly near a sulphide-bearing quartz-eye porphyry. A heritage survey completed in March has cleared the area for drilling, while Novo said fuel supplies have been secured for the program.
Executive co-chairman and acting chief executive officer Mike Spreadborough said Wyloo provided an “excellent start to 2026 exploration".
“Novo’s extensive portfolio has some tremendous targets and we feel that Wyloo, with historic antimony sample results, provides an excellent start to 2026 exploration.
“Wyloo, initially identified as a prospect by regional helicopter-supported stream sediment sampling, has continued to impress with each subsequent program to this maiden drill program into this compelling target. Likewise, Cronus, within a well-mineralised gold district, has never been drill tested. The Balla Balla follow-up drilling program will advance these shear zone-hosted gold targets.”
Drilling start turns pipeline into action
That first push at Wyloo is also significant because it opens a broader sequence of planned drilling across Novo’s Pilbara portfolio following completion of tranche 1 of the company’s March 2026 capital raising.
Once Wyloo is underway, Novo plans to drill the Cronus and Balla Balla gold prospects in the Karratha region during Q2 2026. At Cronus, the company is planning about 2,000 metres of RC drilling across five fences to test interpreted fault offsets, kinks and splays along the Titan Shear between the Titan East prospect and the Weerianna deposit.
At Balla Balla, follow-up work is planned to include 6,000 metres of aircore drilling aimed at infilling earlier anomalies along the Sholl Shear at the Babbage and Ramquarry prospects, where previous drilling highlighted anomalous gold, silver, bismuth, antimony, copper, molybdenum and zinc geochemistry associated with hydrothermal alteration.
Balla Balla Gold Project location on regional aeromagnetic image demonstrating the major interpreted structures of the Pilbara including the Scholl Shear and Mallina Shear Zones.
Planning is also underway for drilling at the Teichman project in Q3, pending approvals.
The company is entering 2026 with multiple drill-ready targets and a funded pathway to test them.