Brightstar Unveils High-Grade Drilling Success at Sandstone Ahead of Resource Upgrade

Diamond Drilling Breakthrough at Sandstone

Brightstar Resources Limited (ASX: BTR) has announced compelling results from its maiden diamond drilling program at the Sandstone Hub in Western Australia. The program, completed in late 2025, has delivered high-grade gold intercepts, including a remarkable 4.2 metres at 26.7 grams per tonne (g/t) gold at the Musketeer deposit. These results mark a significant milestone for the 2.4 million ounce (Moz) resource currently estimated at 1.5g/t Au, reinforcing the project’s potential as a future gold producer.

Strategic Focus on Key Deposits

The drilling campaign targeted infill and extensional drilling at the Musketeer, Indomitable, and Vanguard deposits within the Sandstone Hub. Notably, the Indomitable deposit yielded multiple intercepts, such as 6.5 metres at 11.7g/t Au, while the Vanguard deposit’s reverse circulation drilling returned 15 metres at 3.23g/t Au. These deposits have never been mined historically, offering the advantage of potentially lower strip ratios and undepleted oxide mineralisation, which could translate into more efficient mining operations.

Advancing Pre-Feasibility and Resource Upgrade

Brightstar is integrating these drilling results into its ongoing Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS), with a Mineral Resource Estimate upgrade targeted for the June quarter of 2026. The diamond drilling not only provides critical geological and grade data but also supplies essential geotechnical and metallurgical information to underpin robust resource modelling and mine planning. Managing Director Alex Rovira emphasised the company’s strong financial position, enabling comprehensive drilling and feasibility assessments aimed at advancing Sandstone towards a Final Investment Decision.

Fully Funded Growth and Production Outlook

Brightstar’s current Mineral Resource base across its portfolio exceeds 4 million ounces, with Sandstone playing a pivotal role in its growth strategy. The company has commenced its 2026 drilling campaign with multiple rigs operating to complete infill drilling and explore resource extensions. With a robust exploration budget and approximately 1,800 square kilometres of prospective tenure in underexplored greenstone belts, Brightstar is well-positioned to expand its resource base. The company targets gold production commencement at Sandstone by mid-2027, aiming to establish a significant gold production district in Western Australia.

Technical Insights and Next Steps

The Indomitable Camp, comprising Musketeer and Indomitable deposits, is characterised by mineralisation hosted in banded iron formations and ultramafic units, with gold associated with quartz veining and sulphidic quartz veins. The Vanguard deposit’s mineralisation is linked to quartz-pyrite shear lodes within a differentiated dolerite sill. While assays from 31 diamond drill holes remain pending, the current results provide a strong foundation for the upcoming resource update. Further drilling and technical studies will continue to refine the project’s economic potential and support the path to production.