Yandal Resources Launches 30,000m Drilling Blitz to Unlock Yandal Gold Potential
Yandal Resources has launched a major 2026 exploration program across its Ironstone Well-Barwidgee Gold Project, aiming to expand recent discoveries and unlock new gold deposits in Western Australia’s prolific Yandal Greenstone Belt.
- 30,000 metres of combined RC, diamond, and air-core drilling planned
- Focus on Arrakis, Salusa, Flushing Meadows, and early-stage Nayla targets
- New 21-person exploration camp and diesel storage fully operational
- Collaboration with Kultju Native Title Corporation for heritage surveys
- Historic drilling data at Nayla used for broad targeting, not resource estimation
A Strategic Exploration Push in the Yandal Greenstone Belt
Yandal Resources (ASX:YRL) has officially commenced its 2026 exploration campaign across the Ironstone Well-Barwidgee (IWB) Gold Project, located in the northern Yandal Greenstone Belt of Western Australia. The company is mobilising a comprehensive drilling program totalling approximately 30,000 metres, combining reverse circulation (RC), diamond drilling (DD), and air-core (AC) methods. This ambitious initiative aims to delineate the scale of recent gold discoveries and to identify new large-scale mineralisation within one of Australia’s most prospective gold belts.
Infrastructure and Operational Readiness
Supporting this extensive drilling effort is a newly established 21-person exploration camp and core yard, complete with a 65,000-litre diesel storage facility. This infrastructure is now fully operational, enabling multiple rigs to work simultaneously. The company plans to have two RC rigs and one diamond rig active from early April, subject to diesel supply continuity, a critical operational factor Yandal is actively managing with its suppliers.
Target Areas and Drilling Focus
The drilling program is concentrated on three priority zones: the Flushing Meadows deposit, which currently hosts a 268,000-ounce gold resource; the New England Granite (NEG) target area, including the Salusa prospect; and the Arrakis gold discovery within the Caladan fold. Initial RC drilling has started at Salusa to follow up on high-grade intercepts from late 2025 air-core drilling, with plans to extend drilling southeast along the Arrakis mineralised structure. Diamond drilling is underway at Nayla, an early-stage target co-funded by the Western Australian government’s Exploration Incentive Scheme, aiming to confirm the presence of an intrusive complex and structural features analogous to nearby discoveries.
Heritage and Environmental Considerations
Yandal is working closely with the Kultju Native Title Corporation to conduct heritage surveys, which are integral to the sequencing and timing of drilling activities. Heritage clearances are underway or scheduled across key areas, including Flushing Meadows and the NEG target zone. Environmental baseline surveys are also planned for 2026 to support sustainable exploration practices.
Historic Data and Exploration Outlook
While historic drilling data at the Nayla target area dates back to the late 1990s and early 2000s, Yandal notes that this information is primarily suitable for broad-scale targeting rather than detailed resource modelling. The company’s current programs will generate new, high-quality data to refine geological models and guide future resource estimation efforts. With a strong cash position and a robust exploration schedule, Yandal is positioning itself to capitalize on the Yandal Greenstone Belt’s potential for significant gold discoveries throughout 2026 and beyond.
Bottom Line?
As Yandal Resources advances its multi-rig drilling campaign, the coming months will be pivotal in defining the next chapter of gold exploration success in the Yandal Belt.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the follow-up drilling at Salusa confirm continuity of high-grade mineralisation?
- How will diesel supply challenges impact the drilling schedule and costs?
- What new insights will diamond drilling at Nayla provide about the intrusive complex and mineralisation potential?
