Far East Gold has commenced a 36-hole diamond drilling program at its Idenburg Gold Project in Papua, aiming to expand its current 540,000oz inferred resource and validate a multi-million-ounce exploration target.
- 36-hole, 3,670m diamond drilling underway at Idenburg
- Focus on four prospects, Sua, Mafi, Bermol, and first-ever drilling at Kwaplu
- Current inferred resource of 540,000oz gold at 4.1 g/t Au
- Exploration target up to 7.2 million ounces at 6.1 g/t Au
- Metallurgical sampling planned to support future resource development
Drilling Commences at Idenburg
Far East Gold Limited (ASX – FEG) has officially kicked off a significant diamond drilling campaign at its Idenburg Gold Project in Papua, Indonesia. Two rigs are currently active at the Bermol prospect, one of four priority areas targeted in this 36-hole, 3,670-metre program. The campaign aims to expand and infill the existing JORC-compliant inferred resource of 540,000 ounces of gold, while also testing a broader exploration target that could reach up to 7.2 million ounces.
Targeting High-Grade Zones Across Multiple Prospects
The drilling program is strategically focused on the Sua, Mafi, Bermol, and Kwaplu prospects. Historical drilling at Sua and Mafi has revealed impressive high-grade gold intercepts, including intervals exceeding 20 grams per tonne. Bermol, with its extensive quartz-sulphide fault zone, is being tested for strike and depth extensions, while Kwaplu is undergoing its first-ever drill testing following the discovery of anomalous gold-in-soil values and exceptionally high-grade quartz boulder samples.
Geological Context and Exploration Strategy
The Idenburg project lies within a complex geotectonic setting along the Mamberamo Fold and Thrust Belt, hosting orogenic-style gold mineralisation. Far East Gold has engaged Murphy Geological Services to conduct a detailed structural evaluation to better understand the controls on mineralisation. This insight is expected to refine drilling targets and potentially unlock further resource upside.
Metallurgical Testing and Resource Growth Potential
Alongside drilling, the program will collect core composite samples for advanced metallurgical testing. This is a critical step toward assessing the economic viability of the resource and informing future development plans. CEO Shane Menere expressed confidence that the campaign could drive significant resource growth, enhancing shareholder value and positioning Idenburg as a major gold asset in the region.
Looking Ahead
As assays and metallurgical results come in, the market will be watching closely for confirmation of resource expansion and the potential to upgrade the exploration target. The coming months could prove pivotal for Far East Gold’s ambitions in Papua, with the drilling results likely to shape the company’s next strategic moves.
Bottom Line?
Idenburg’s drilling results will be a key catalyst for Far East Gold’s next phase of growth and market re-rating.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the new drilling confirm extensions to the high-grade zones and significantly increase the resource?
- How will metallurgical test results impact the project’s economic outlook and development timeline?
- What insights will the structural evaluation provide to refine exploration and resource models?