Brightstar Resources has reported robust diamond and reverse circulation drilling results at its Sandstone Gold Project, highlighting significant high-grade intercepts that underpin an upcoming Mineral Resource Estimate update and Pre-Feasibility Study.
- 411m @ 1.11g/t Au intercept at Two Mile Hill-Shillington
- High-grade zones confirmed at Whistler and Lord Nelson deposits
- 2.4Moz @ 1.5g/t Au current Mineral Resource at Sandstone
- Resource update scheduled for June 2026
- Pre-Feasibility Study targeted for second half of 2026
Strong Drilling Results Reinforce Sandstone's Potential
Brightstar Resources Limited (ASX:BTR) has announced a series of compelling drilling results from its Sandstone Gold Project in Western Australia. The latest diamond and reverse circulation drilling programs have delivered significant intercepts, notably a broad 411-metre zone grading 1.11 grams per tonne gold at the Two Mile Hill-Shillington deposit. These results are poised to feed into an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) expected in June 2026, as well as ongoing Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) work aimed for completion in the second half of the year.
Two Mile Hill-Shillington: A Bulk-Tonnage Underground Target
The Two Mile Hill-Shillington deposit, located approximately 2.5 kilometres from Brightstar’s processing plant, currently hosts a Mineral Resource of 664,000 ounces at 1.6g/t gold. The recent drilling has extended mineralisation at depth and along strike, confirming the deposit’s potential as a bulk-tonnage underground mining operation. High-grade intervals within the broader mineralised zones include standout assays such as 2 metres at 41.3g/t and 1 metre at 70.5g/t gold, embedded within thick zones of lower-grade mineralisation.
Geologically, the mineralisation is hosted predominantly within a tonalite intrusive body with sheeted quartz veins, a setting that supports both scale and grade continuity. Brightstar’s Managing Director, Alex Rovira, emphasised that the drilling orientation was designed to intersect mineralised lodes perpendicularly, enhancing the accuracy of thickness and grade assessments critical for feasibility studies.
Encouraging Results at Whistler and Lord Nelson
Beyond Two Mile Hill, drilling at the Whistler and Lord Nelson deposits has also yielded promising results. At Whistler, intercepts such as 31 metres at 5.17g/t gold, including 10 metres at 10.6g/t, highlight the presence of high-grade zones within the granodiorite-hosted mineralisation. Lord Nelson’s drilling returned intervals including 16 metres at 1.49g/t gold, with higher-grade sub-intervals, reinforcing its role in the Sandstone Hub’s multi-ore source processing strategy.
Advancing Towards Resource Upgrade and Feasibility
The Sandstone Gold Project currently holds a consolidated Mineral Resource Estimate of 2.4 million ounces at 1.5g/t gold. The ongoing drilling campaign, with four rigs active, is focused on infill and extensional drilling to support the upcoming MRE update and PFS. These studies are critical milestones that will refine the project’s development pathway and underpin its economic potential.
Brightstar’s broader strategy aims to leverage the Sandstone Hub as a multi-ore source processing centre, integrating contributions from deposits like Two Mile Hill, Whistler, and Lord Nelson. The company’s methodical approach to drilling and resource definition reflects a commitment to delivering a robust, scalable gold operation in a Tier-1 jurisdiction.
Outlook and Market Implications
With the resource update and PFS on the horizon, Brightstar is positioning Sandstone as a significant contributor to its growth pipeline. The quality and scale of drilling results to date suggest a compelling opportunity for investors to watch as the company advances towards production. However, as with all exploration and development projects, uncertainties remain, including the confirmation of true widths and pending assay results.
Bottom Line?
Brightstar’s drilling success at Sandstone sets the stage for a pivotal resource update and feasibility study that could reshape its gold production profile.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the upcoming Mineral Resource Estimate impact Brightstar’s valuation and project financing?
- What are the key risks in converting inferred resources at Two Mile Hill into mineable reserves?
- How might the integration of multiple deposits into the Sandstone Hub affect operational timelines and costs?