Brightstar Reports 59g/t Au Intercept Among Strong Results from 6,000m Drilling Program

Brightstar’s Maiden Drilling Campaign Delivers Strong Gold Results

Brightstar Resources Limited (ASX: BTR) has announced the final results from its maiden Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling campaigns at the Montague-Boulder and Whistler gold deposits, located approximately 70km northeast of Sandstone in Western Australia. The ~6,000m program, completed in the fourth quarter of 2024, targeted both infill and depth extensions to known mineralisation, with assays confirming multiple high-grade gold intercepts that bode well for resource growth.

The Whistler deposit delivered standout results including a remarkable 4m intercept grading 59.0 g/t Au from 24m and a 9m intercept at 7.16 g/t Au from 123m. Montague-Boulder also yielded significant hits such as 2m at 33.7 g/t Au from 100m, including 1m at 66.1 g/t Au, and other intervals exceeding 7 g/t Au over multiple metres. These results confirm the presence of materially high-grade extensions beyond previously defined lodes, particularly in the northern extents of Montague-Boulder.

Geological Context and Resource Implications

The Montague-Boulder and Whistler deposits are part of the broader Sandstone Gold Project, which currently hosts a combined Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 1.5 million ounces at 1.5 g/t Au. Together, Montague-Boulder and Whistler contribute approximately 283,000 ounces at 1.8 g/t Au. The deposits are situated within the Gum Creek Greenstone Belt, characterised by metamorphosed basalts, banded iron formations, and felsic volcanic rocks intruded by granodiorite bodies.

Mineralisation at Whistler is predominantly hosted within granodiorite near basalt contacts, associated with quartz-carbonate veining and silica-pyrite-chlorite alteration. Montague-Boulder features shallow west-southwest dipping shear lodes interpreted as thrust faults, with near-surface zones enriched by supergene processes. The drilling program has successfully delineated extensions along strike and at depth, supporting future resource upgrades.

Ongoing Exploration and Strategic Growth

Brightstar’s Managing Director, Alex Rovira, highlighted the encouraging nature of the results, emphasizing the broad and high-grade mineralisation encountered. He noted that the Montague-Boulder northern extents reveal shallow dipping, high-grade shoots extending beyond known lodes, underscoring the potential for resource expansion.

Following the completion of the 2024 drilling season, Brightstar has recommenced drilling at the Lord Nelson deposit within the Sandstone district, continuing efforts to infill and extend mineralisation. This activity follows the recent acquisition of Alto Metals, reflecting Brightstar’s commitment to organic growth through exploration.

The company is undertaking an aggressive 55,000m RC drilling program across the Sandstone Gold Project aimed at rapidly expanding the existing Mineral Resource base. The consolidation of the Sandstone district assets has positioned Brightstar with a combined JORC Mineral Resource of 3.0 million ounces at 1.5 g/t Au, spread across three hubs, providing optionality for staged development towards becoming a significant ASX-listed gold producer.

Technical Assurance and Next Steps

Brightstar has ensured rigorous quality control throughout the drilling and assay process, employing industry-standard RC drilling techniques and comprehensive QAQC protocols. Assays were conducted by Bureau Veritas Laboratory in Kalgoorlie using 50-gram fire assay charges, with no significant sampling biases identified. Drill hole locations were surveyed with differential GPS, and data management adheres to best practice standards.

With further assay results pending from the 2024 drill season at Sandstone and Laverton, the market awaits additional data that could further enhance resource estimates. Brightstar’s ongoing exploration and consolidation strategy positions it well to capitalize on the growing gold market and deliver shareholder value through resource growth and potential development.