Lodestar Minerals has secured a major drilling contract to advance its Ned’s Creek Gold Project towards a maiden resource estimate in 2026, targeting key prospects with a 10,000-metre program.
- 10,000m reverse circulation drilling program secured with Westdrill
- Focus on Gidgee Flat, Contessa, and Central Park gold prospects
- Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate targeted for calendar year 2026
- Drilling aims to expand and increase confidence in gold mineralisation
- Concurrent copper drilling campaigns underway in Chile
Lodestar Advances Ned’s Creek with Major Drilling Contract
Lodestar Minerals Limited (ASX:LSR) has taken a significant step forward in its Western Australian gold ambitions by securing a reverse circulation (RC) drilling rig to commence a 10,000-metre drilling campaign at its 100% owned Ned’s Creek Gold Project. Scheduled to start in late March 2026, this program is designed to underpin the company’s goal of delivering a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) within the calendar year.
Targeting Key Prospects for Resource Definition
The drilling will focus on three priority prospects within the Ned’s Creek project area: Gidgee Flat, Contessa, and Central Park. These sites were highlighted in a December 2025 exploration update, which outlined an Exploration Target of 250,000 to 300,000 ounces of gold contained within 5 to 7 million tonnes at grades ranging from 1.0 to 1.7 grams per tonne. The upcoming drilling aims to both infill and extend known mineralisation, improving geological confidence and potentially expanding the resource footprint.
Strategic Importance and Concurrent Operations
Executive Director and Head of Exploration Coraline Blaud emphasised the importance of this drilling contract, describing it as a "significant step forward" in advancing Ned’s Creek towards a maiden resource. The program will also generate critical data to support geological modelling and metallurgical testwork, essential components for future development decisions. Notably, this drilling campaign will run alongside Lodestar’s copper-focused drilling activities in Chile, demonstrating the company’s diversified exploration strategy across multiple commodities and continents.
Looking Ahead
While the exact timing of drilling commencement remains subject to site access and weather conditions, the commitment to a substantial 10,000-metre program signals Lodestar’s confidence in the project’s potential. Investors and market watchers will be keenly awaiting assay results and updates as the program progresses, which will provide clearer insights into the scale and quality of the gold mineralisation at Ned’s Creek.
Bottom Line?
Lodestar’s drilling campaign at Ned’s Creek sets the stage for a pivotal resource milestone in 2026, with market eyes fixed on assay results and resource definition progress.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the drilling confirm or exceed the December 2025 Exploration Target estimates?
- How might assay results influence Lodestar’s development timeline and capital allocation?
- What impact will concurrent copper drilling in Chile have on Lodestar’s overall exploration strategy?