Yandal Resources reports promising initial assay results from its extensive Caladan air-core drilling program, revealing continuous gold mineralisation over more than 800 metres at the Arrakis Prospect. These findings bolster the prospect’s geological potential within the Yandal Greenstone Belt.
- First 16 holes confirm >800m strike length of gold mineralisation
- Significant intercepts include 11m @ 2.1 g/t Au and 12m @ 1.1 g/t Au
- Mineralisation hosted in a northwest striking shear zone
- Ongoing air-core program nearing completion with 100 of 125 holes drilled
- Results de-risk Arrakis Prospect and support large-scale discovery potential
Early Success at Arrakis Prospect
Yandal Resources Ltd (ASX, YRL) has unveiled encouraging first assay results from its large-scale Caladan air-core drilling program, targeting the Arrakis Prospect within the Ironstone Well-Barwidgee Gold Project in Western Australia. The initial 16 holes, representing 1,685 metres of drilling, have intercepted gold mineralisation continuously over a strike length exceeding 800 metres. This early-stage success confirms the presence of a significant mineralised structure and validates the company’s exploration thesis.
Significant Intercepts and Geological Continuity
Among the standout results are intercepts such as 11 metres at 2.1 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 90 metres depth, including a higher-grade 7 metres at 3.1 g/t, and 12 metres at 1.1 g/t gold from 45 metres, with sub-intervals reaching up to 3.2 g/t. These mineralised zones are hosted within a northwest-striking shear zone characterized by sheared and altered dolerite, consistent across drill lines spaced 400 metres apart. The geological consistency suggests a single continuous mineralised structure, which remains open along strike to the southeast and northwest.
Strategic Implications for Yandal Resources
Managing Director Chris Oorschot highlighted the significance of intercepting such mineralisation in a first-pass air-core program, emphasizing that these results materially de-risk the Arrakis Prospect from a geological standpoint. The findings support the interpretation that the extensive 3-kilometre regolith gold anomaly defining the prospect reflects a primary mineralised system at depth. This reinforces Yandal’s strategy to pursue a large-scale gold discovery within the prolific Yandal Greenstone Belt, a region known for hosting significant gold deposits.
Ongoing Drilling and Future Outlook
The Caladan air-core program is progressing well, with 100 of the planned 125 holes completed, totaling 10,200 metres drilled. The program is expected to conclude within the next two weeks, with further assay results anticipated in the coming weeks and months. Following completion, the drilling rig is scheduled to move to the New England Granite Prospect to test additional structural targets. Yandal Resources maintains a robust cash position and an active exploration schedule, positioning the company for continued news flow and potential resource upgrades.
Context within the Yandal Greenstone Belt
The Caladan target area, including the Arrakis Prospect, lies approximately 60 kilometres south of the Jundee mining complex and 18 kilometres north of the recent Siona discovery. The region’s geological setting, characterized by folded mafic and intermediate volcanic rocks truncated by major shear zones, bears similarities to other prolific gold districts such as Kalgoorlie. Historical drilling was limited and shallow, making Yandal’s systematic air-core program a critical step in unlocking the area’s potential.
Bottom Line?
As Yandal Resources advances its Caladan drilling, the market will watch closely for further assay results that could confirm a major new gold discovery in the Yandal Greenstone Belt.
Questions in the middle?
- Will follow-up drilling confirm the true width and continuity of the mineralised shear zone?
- How might these early results translate into a formal Mineral Resource Estimate?
- What are the implications for Yandal’s broader Ironstone Well-Barwidgee Gold Project pipeline?