Cyclone Narelle Forces Temporary Halt to Vita Resources’ Ninnis Drilling Program
Vita Resources NL has temporarily halted its maiden drilling program at the Ninnis Gold Project due to Tropical Cyclone Narelle, completing 850 of 1,200 planned auger holes. The company expects drilling to resume later in April, pending weather and ground conditions, with assay results forthcoming.
- 850 of 1,200 auger holes completed before weather disruption
- Drilling contractors temporarily demobilised due to Tropical Cyclone Narelle
- Samples sent to LabWest Minerals Analysis for assay
- Drilling expected to resume later in April 2026
- Ninnis Project located near major gold discoveries in Eastern Goldfields
Drilling Progress and Weather Impact
Vita Resources NL (ASX:VTA) has provided an update on its maiden exploration drilling campaign at the Ninnis Gold Project in Western Australia. The company’s drilling contractors, GYRO Drilling Australia, have temporarily demobilised from the site following adverse ground conditions caused by Tropical Cyclone Narelle. Prior to this interruption, 850 of the targeted 1,200 auger holes had been completed.
The samples collected from these holes are currently being sent to LabWest Minerals Analysis in Western Australia for assaying. Vita Resources has indicated it will update the market once assay results are received, which will provide further insight into the project's potential.
Plans for Resumption and Project Context
GYRO Drilling anticipates returning to the Ninnis site later in April 2026 to complete the remaining 350 holes, subject to their project schedule and improved ground conditions. The drilling program aims to infill previous gold-in-soil anomalies identified through widely spaced sub-surface soil sampling conducted by the prior owner-operator.
Non-Executive Chairman Gavin Rutherford acknowledged the disruption caused by the cyclone but expressed optimism about completing the program within the month. He noted the professionalism of the drilling contractors in managing the challenging conditions.
The Ninnis Gold Project (E39/2110) is an early-stage exploration asset located approximately 30 kilometres west of Laverton in the Eastern Goldfields region. Acquired by Vita Resources in November 2025, the project covers a 25-kilometre strike length and shares geological similarities with significant regional gold deposits, including the nearby Mount Morgans Gold Mining Centre operated by Genesis Minerals Limited (ASX:GMD). The proximity to these multi-million-ounce discoveries highlights the prospective nature of the Ninnis area.
Next Steps and Broader Exploration Efforts
Following the completion of drilling and receipt of assay results, Vita Resources plans to conduct a geochemistry review at Ninnis to better understand the mineralisation and guide future exploration activities. This update follows the company’s recent mobilisation for the maiden drilling program earlier in March 2026, which targeted key regional structures associated with historic gold anomalies.
In a broader market context, Vita Resources has also advanced its ICE Copper-Gold Project in Yukon, Canada, after securing key exploration approvals, reflecting a multi-jurisdictional approach to resource development. This diversification may influence investor perspectives on the company’s growth strategy and project pipeline.
Bottom Line?
Vita Resources’ drilling interruption at Ninnis underscores the challenges of weather-dependent exploration, with assay results and drilling resumption timing key to assessing project progress.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the pending assay results influence Vita Resources’ exploration strategy at Ninnis?
- What contingencies does Vita have in place should weather disruptions continue to affect drilling schedules?
- How might progress at Ninnis interact with developments at Vita’s other projects, such as the ICE Copper-Gold Project?
