Brightstar Resources has reported impressive high-grade gold intercepts from recent drilling at its Sandstone Hub, reinforcing potential for significant resource growth ahead of a 2026 Pre-Feasibility Study.
- High-grade gold intercepts at Bull Oak and Havilah deposits
- Sandstone Hub Mineral Resource Estimate stands at 2.4 million ounces at 1.5 g/t Au
- Drilling targets extensions beyond current resource boundaries
- Multiple rigs active including reverse circulation and diamond drilling
- Pre-Feasibility Study workstreams underway for project development
Strong Drill Results Signal Growth Potential
Brightstar Resources Limited (ASX – BTR) has released encouraging results from its latest reverse circulation drilling campaign at the Bull Oak and Havilah deposits within the Sandstone Hub in Western Australia. The Sandstone Hub currently hosts a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 2.4 million ounces of gold at an average grade of 1.5 grams per tonne, and these new results suggest meaningful extensions to the known mineralisation.
Notably, the Bull Oak deposit yielded a standout intercept of 3 metres grading 31.4 grams per tonne gold from 130 metres depth, alongside other significant zones such as 10 metres at 5.83 g/t from near surface. At Havilah, drilling returned 5 metres at 12.8 g/t gold from 142 metres, including a high-grade 1 metre intercept at 55.2 g/t. These high-grade veins are hosted within granodiorite intrusions and banded iron formations, indicating robust geological continuity.
Strategic Drilling to Expand Resources
The drilling program is designed to test beneath the existing Mineral Resources to delineate extensions that could substantially increase the resource base. Brightstar’s Managing Director, Alex Rovira, highlighted that the broad mineralised intercepts at Bull Oak, hosted by multiple quartz veins within a granodiorite intrusion, are particularly promising for future resource growth. The granodiorite body itself extends approximately 500 metres along strike and remains open at depth, suggesting potential for a sizeable tonnage increase.
Currently, six drill rigs are active across Brightstar’s portfolio, with four focused on the Sandstone Hub. These include both reverse circulation and diamond drilling rigs, the latter providing critical structural and geotechnical data as well as material for metallurgical testing. This comprehensive approach supports the ongoing Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) targeted for completion in 2026, which aims to underpin the project’s development pathway.
Context Within Brightstar’s Growth Strategy
The Sandstone Hub forms a key part of Brightstar’s broader portfolio, which includes assets in the Laverton and Menzies regions of Western Australia. The company recently expanded its resource base through the acquisition of Aurumin Limited, adding complementary deposits such as Two Mile Hill. Brightstar’s strategy focuses on consolidating high-quality gold assets in Tier-1 jurisdictions to build a mid-tier gold producer profile.
With ongoing drilling at Sandstone and other hubs, Brightstar is rapidly enhancing geological understanding and resource confidence. The company is also progressing underground drilling at the Second Fortune mine near Laverton and geotechnical programs at Menzies, indicating a multi-pronged approach to resource growth and mine life extension.
Looking Ahead
While assay results from diamond drilling remain pending, the current data reinforce the potential for significant resource upgrades at both Bull Oak and Havilah. The broad zones of mineralisation, combined with high-grade veins, suggest that Brightstar is well positioned to deliver a robust resource update and advance its development studies. Investors will be watching closely as the PFS progresses and further drilling results emerge.
Bottom Line?
Brightstar’s latest drilling success at Sandstone sets the stage for a pivotal resource update and development milestone in 2026.
Questions in the middle?
- How will pending diamond drill assays impact the overall resource estimate?
- What are the timelines and key milestones for the Pre-Feasibility Study completion?
- Could the extensions at Bull Oak and Havilah materially change Brightstar’s production profile?