Mandrake Signs Contract for 3,200m Drilling at Berinka Gold-Copper Project
Mandrake Resources has secured a drilling contract to advance exploration at its Berinka Project in the Northern Territory’s Pine Creek Orogen, targeting gold and copper mineralisation with a 3,200m reverse circulation program planned for August 2026.
- 3,200m reverse circulation drilling program contracted at Berinka
- Program targets gold and copper mineralisation in Pine Creek Orogen
- Drilling scheduled to start August pending environmental permit
- Berinka has historical and recent drill results confirming mineralisation
- Pine Creek region sees renewed exploration with multiple major players
Drilling Contract Secured to Unlock Berinka Potential
Mandrake Resources (ASX:MAN) has inked a contract with Geodrill Australia to undertake a 3,200-metre reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at its 100%-owned Berinka Gold-Copper Project in the Northern Territory. The program, targeting both gold and copper mineralisation, is slated to commence in August 2026, subject to receiving the necessary environmental mining licence.
The Berinka Project lies within the prolific Pine Creek Orogen, a region boasting over 20 million ounces of gold historically and currently attracting renewed interest from major miners. Companies such as Agnico Eagle, Vista Gold, Hanking, Patronus Resources, and PC Gold are actively advancing projects nearby, buoyed by the recent permitting of three new carbon-in-leach (CIL) processing plants in the area. This wave of investment underscores the region’s enduring appeal as one of Australia’s premier gold provinces.
Historical and Recent Drilling Highlights
The Berinka Project’s geology is complex, featuring Early Proterozoic sedimentary units intruded by mafic and granitic rocks, with major fault zones such as the Giants Reef Fault providing structural controls favourable for mineralisation. This combination offers potential for multiple styles of mineral deposits, including gold, copper, nickel-PGE, and uranium.
Strategic Positioning Amid Regional Momentum
Mandrake enters this drilling phase with a strong cash position of $11.8 million as of March 2026 and no debt, positioning it well to advance exploration. The company also manages a substantial lithium project in Utah, USA, where it holds a 3.3 million tonne lithium carbonate equivalent inferred resource. This diversification highlights Mandrake’s broader strategic footprint in critical minerals.
With the Pine Creek region experiencing a surge in exploration activity and infrastructure development, Mandrake’s Berinka drilling program could be a pivotal step in unlocking value. The results of this drilling campaign will be closely watched for their potential to expand the resource base and attract further investment.
Bottom Line?
Mandrake’s Berinka drilling contract marks a crucial exploration milestone, but results and permit approval will dictate the project’s next phase.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the August drilling confirm extensions of high-grade gold-copper mineralisation at Berinka?
- How quickly can Mandrake secure the environmental mining licence to commence drilling?
- Could Berinka’s results position Mandrake to join the ranks of major Pine Creek explorers?
