Empire Resources Reports Encouraging Copper-Gold-PGE Drilling at Yuinmery

Strong Multi-Metal Drilling Results at Yuinmery

Empire Resources (ASX:ERL) has delivered a robust set of preliminary results from its recent reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaigns at the Yuinmery Copper-Gold Project in Western Australia. Across April and June 2026, the company completed 60 drill holes totalling nearly 7,000 metres, targeting multiple prospects including Hillside, Microbe Well, Lorne, and its flagship Just Desserts deposit.

The assays confirm a widespread presence of copper, gold, and notably palladium-platinum group elements (PGEs), with some standout intercepts. Hillside returned 8 metres grading 1.24% copper and 1.13 g/t gold from 80 metres, while Hillside North showed 7 metres at 1.82 g/t Pd-Pt from 16 metres within a broader 55-metre zone averaging 0.74 g/t Pd-Pt from surface. Microbe Well, a newer target, yielded 17 metres at 0.54 g/t gold from 24 metres, including a higher-grade 4-metre interval at 1.14 g/t.

Just Desserts Continues to Impress with High-Grade Copper Zones

The Just Desserts project, hosting an existing JORC resource of 3.59 million tonnes at 1.25% copper and 0.46 g/t gold, remains central to Empire’s exploration focus. Recent drilling has identified high-grade copper zones, including 12 metres at 3.69% copper and 0.38 g/t gold from 68 metres, with an 8-metre section grading 8.34% copper and 1.07 g/t gold. These results support continuity of volcanogenic massive sulphide mineralisation and suggest potential for resource growth.

Empire is also advancing metallurgical testing on oxide and transitional ores from Just Desserts, including acid leaching and gravity concentration trials. This work aims to optimise copper and gold recoveries from the oxide zones, which have previously lacked detailed processing studies.

Emerging Prospects and Exploration Plans

Other prospects within the Yuinmery tenement package have delivered encouraging results. At Lorne, two recent holes intersected consistent sulphide mineralisation with up to 16 metres at 0.40% copper and 5.34% sulphur, highlighting a sulphide horizon missed by a previous airborne EM survey. Meanwhile, the company’s exploration at Hillside West and Lady Agnes has confirmed the presence of PGEs and gold-bearing quartz veins, respectively.

Looking ahead, Empire plans a stage 3 RC drilling program and/or a ground EM survey at Yuinmery in the September quarter to further delineate sulphide zones and expand resource definitions. At the Pennys Gold Project near Kalgoorlie, a Program of Works for air core drilling has been submitted, with results from previous drilling pending.

Financial Position and Corporate Update

Empire’s cash position remains solid with approximately A$3.58 million on hand at quarter-end, despite exploration and evaluation expenditure of nearly A$500,000. The company also benefits from a $1.25 million unsecured loan facility provided by Non-Executive Chairman Dr Michael Ruane at an interest rate of 7.5% per annum. No mining development or production activities took place during the quarter.

Empire retains royalty interests on the Penny’s Find Gold Mine, now owned by Maritana Minerals, including a sliding scale royalty on gold production and milestone payments tied to mining commencement and first gold pour. The proximity of the Black Swan nickel ore treatment facility to Penny’s Find adds strategic value to this royalty stream.

Exploration licence applications remain active, including two greenfield opportunities northeast of Kalgoorlie, with Empire positioned as first in line after competing applications lapsed.