Gold Duke’s 12,000m Drilling Program Targets 277,000oz Resource Expansion

Strategic Expansion Amid Strong Gold Prices

Western Gold Resources (ASX:WGR) is capitalising on favourable gold prices and a robust cash position of $5.44 million to push forward a significant drilling campaign at its 100% owned Gold Duke Project in Western Australia’s northeastern Goldfields. The company has announced a 12,000-metre Life of Mine (LOM) extension grade control and infill drilling program designed to run concurrently with the mobilisation of Stage 1 production activities.

This dual approach aims to not only initiate scheduled mining operations but also to add incremental tonnes and ounces within the existing mining footprint. By targeting strike and down-dip extensions of key deposits; Emu, Eagle, Joyners Find, and Gold King South; WGR seeks to enhance grade continuity and extend the mine’s productive life beyond the initial ~43,000 ounces planned.

Alignment with Proven Resource Framework

The drilling program is meticulously designed to align with the December 2025 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE), which reported a total resource of 4.8 million tonnes at 1.8 grams per tonne gold, equating to 277,000 ounces within a defined economic pit shell. The program maintains consistent drilling parameters and spacing with the previous 33,980-metre 2025 campaign, ensuring seamless integration into mine planning and future resource updates.

Importantly, the targeted mineralisation remains open along strike and at depth, with multiple stacked lodes identified. The LOM extension drilling is focused on converting these extensions into mineable inventory, supporting sustained production and operational flexibility.

Operational Execution and Future Outlook

VM Drilling, the contractor responsible for the successful 2025 drilling campaign, will undertake the new program. Their familiarity with the Gold Duke geology and operational requirements is expected to facilitate efficient and safe execution. Managing Director Cullum Winn emphasised the disciplined, mining-aligned approach underpinning the program, highlighting its role in rapidly integrating additional ounces into production schedules.

Looking ahead, WGR intends to leverage cash flow from Stage 1 mining to fund Stage 2 brownfields drilling activities, aiming to further extend the Life of Mine and upgrade resources into higher confidence categories. This strategy underscores the company’s commitment to enhancing shareholder value through sustained resource growth and production expansion.