Yandal Resources has commissioned a new exploration camp enabling a large-scale drilling campaign at its Ironstone Well-Barwidgee Gold Project. Recent results confirm a continuous mineralised system at Arrakis and high-grade gold at New England Granite, underpinning an ambitious 30,000m program for H1 2026.
- 1.2km continuous gold mineralisation confirmed at Arrakis
- High-grade air-core intercepts at New England Granite’s Salusa prospect
- Multi-rig drilling supported by new 21-person camp and onsite fuel storage
- ~30,000m drilling planned for first half of 2026 across multiple targets
- Strong cash position of $14.7 million to fund exploration activities
Arrakis Discovery Validates Multi-Rig Drilling Strategy
Yandal Resources (ASX:YRL) has taken a significant step forward in its 2026 exploration campaign with the commissioning of a fully serviced 21-person camp at the Ironstone Well-Barwidgee (IWB) Gold Project. This infrastructure milestone enables continuous multi-rig drilling, a critical enabler for the company’s ambitious ~30,000m program planned through the first half of 2026.
The highlight from recent activity is the confirmation of a coherent and laterally continuous gold mineralised system at the Arrakis prospect within the Caladan target area. Results from 17 reverse circulation (RC) holes drilled in late 2025 reveal mineralisation extending over 1.2 kilometres of strike, remaining open to the southeast where a structural strike change is interpreted. Notable intercepts include 24m at 1.3g/t Au from 136m, 18m at 1.6g/t Au from 45m, and 8m at 2.7g/t Au from 95m, with higher-grade zones closely associated with the eastern hanging-wall contact.
New England Granite Shows Shallow High-Grade Potential
Meanwhile, air-core drilling at the New England Granite (NEG) target’s Salusa prospect has delivered shallow, high-grade gold intercepts that reinforce the prospectivity of this large intrusive complex. Intercepts such as 6m at 6.3g/t Au (including 2m at 18.2g/t Au) and 2m at 6.0g/t Au (including 1m at 11.3g/t Au) highlight structurally controlled mineralisation associated with intrusive contacts.
Yandal has commenced follow-up RC drilling at Salusa to test continuity in fresh rock, although progress has been temporarily paused due to recent rainfall impacting access. These results support the company’s view of the NEG system as a significant exploration target spanning approximately 4km by 2km, with multiple mineralised zones yet to be fully tested.
Accelerated Exploration Supported by New Infrastructure
The establishment of the exploration camp, core yard, and onsite fuel storage at IWB provides the operational backbone for an accelerated drilling program. Drilling recommenced late in the quarter with RC and diamond rigs mobilised to key targets including Arrakis, Flushing Meadows, and New England Granite. The Flushing Meadows deposit, hosting a 268,000-ounce resource at 1.1g/t Au, will see fresh rock diamond drilling commence in the June quarter to test extensions below the current resource.
Yandal’s multi-rig approach and expanded drilling footprint reflect a strategic shift from discovery to resource definition and growth. This momentum is evident in the recent multi-rig drilling mobilised as Yandal pushes to delineate higher-grade zones and test extensions along strike and at depth.
Mt McClure Project Advances with Targeted Drilling Plans
Beyond IWB, the Mt McClure Gold Project remains a focus with three mining leases containing JORC resources totalling 182,200 ounces. Planned diamond drilling at the Success and Parmelia deposits aims to assess higher-grade mineralisation at depth and provide material for metallurgical studies. RC drilling will also target extensions of the HMS Sulphur mineralisation.
Funding and Corporate Updates
Yandal ended the quarter with a robust cash balance of $14.7 million, underpinning its exploration ambitions. The company raised $360,000 through the exercise of 2 million unlisted options during the quarter and maintains a drill-for-equity arrangement with DDH1 Drilling to manage cash outflows, though this facility has yet to be utilised.
The company spent approximately $2.7 million on exploration activities in the quarter, reflecting the scale and intensity of its drilling programs. Yandal continues to work closely with the Kultju Native Title group to facilitate heritage surveys critical to drilling access and scheduling.
Bottom Line?
Yandal’s infrastructure upgrade and confirmed mineralisation continuity at Arrakis set the stage for a pivotal exploration phase, but ongoing assay results and drilling will be crucial to defining the scale and grade of new resources.
Questions in the middle?
- Will follow-up drilling at Arrakis delineate higher-grade zones sufficient to support resource upgrades?
- How quickly can Yandal resume and expand drilling at Salusa after weather-related delays?
- What impact will the drill-for-equity initiative have on Yandal’s cash flow and exploration pace?