Shallow High-Grade Gold Zone at Barimaia Raises Exploration Stakes

• Bonanza-grade gold intercept of 2m at 92.20g/t Au including 1m at 182.32g/t Au
• Shallow gold mineralisation starting approximately 10m below surface
• In-fill RC drilling completed over 400m strike at McNabs East
• Diamond drilling confirms mineralisation extension at depth
• Further drilling planned along +7km strike of granodiorite intrusions

Exploration Breakthrough at McNabs East

Ordell Minerals Limited (ASX – ORD) has kicked off 2026 with a striking update from its flagship Barimaia Gold Project near Mount Magnet, Western Australia. The company’s recent in-fill reverse circulation (RC) drilling at the McNabs East Prospect has revealed a robust and shallow zone of gold mineralisation, including a standout bonanza-grade intercept of 2 metres at 92.20 grams per tonne (g/t) gold. This intercept notably contains a 1-metre section grading an extraordinary 182.32 g/t Au, underscoring the prospect’s high-grade potential.

The drilling program, completed in December 2025, covered approximately 400 metres of strike and reached depths of up to 90 metres vertically. The mineralisation begins just 10 metres below surface, suggesting strong open-pit mining potential. Additional significant intercepts include 15 metres at 4.41 g/t Au and 18 metres at 1.57 g/t Au, reinforcing the continuity and scale of the gold system.

Extending the Mineralised Envelope

Complementing the RC drilling, diamond drilling conducted in the December quarter has further expanded the known mineralisation both along strike and at depth. One diamond hole returned 5.45 metres at 1.25 g/t Au approximately 90 metres down-dip from previous strong intercepts, indicating the gold system plunges to the east and remains open for further extension.

Ordell’s Managing Director, Michael Fowler, emphasised the significance of these results, noting the confirmation of a shallow, high-grade gold zone that is shaping up as an emerging open pit prospect. The company is awaiting assay results from remaining holes and plans to integrate these findings into its 2026 exploration strategy.

Strategic Location and Future Prospects

The Barimaia Project benefits from its location in a Tier-1 mining jurisdiction, adjacent to Ramelius Resources’ Mt Magnet mill, a well-established gold processing facility. This proximity could offer logistical and economic advantages should Ordell advance towards development.

Looking ahead, Ordell intends to recommence drilling in mid-February 2026. The upcoming program will target extensions of the McNabs East mineralisation and explore new discoveries along the more than 7-kilometre strike of the host granodiorite intrusions. The company is also planning wide-spaced RC drilling west of McNabs and follow-up diamond drilling to test high-grade zones at depth.

Building on a Solid Foundation

Barimaia’s exploration history, including work by Genesis Minerals and others, has laid a strong foundation for Ordell’s current success. The project’s geological setting, featuring felsic intrusion-hosted gold mineralisation distinct from typical banded iron formation deposits in the region, offers a compelling exploration target. Metallurgical testwork has confirmed the ore is free milling with excellent gold recoveries, further enhancing the project’s appeal.

As assay results continue to flow and drilling advances, Ordell Minerals is positioning Barimaia as a potentially significant new gold discovery in Western Australia’s prolific Murchison region.

Bottom Line?

With high-grade gold confirmed near surface and drilling poised to expand the system, Barimaia’s McNabs East is shaping up as a key focus for Ordell Minerals in 2026.

Questions in the middle?

• How will pending assay results from remaining holes influence the overall resource model?
• What are the implications of the mineralisation plunge for potential underground mining?
• Could proximity to Ramelius Resources’ Mt Magnet mill accelerate project development timelines?