Peako Limited has kicked off detailed UAV magnetic surveys across five prime targets in Saudi Arabia, setting the stage for maiden drilling campaigns this October.
- UAV magnetics surveys cover 54km2 and 1,400 line kms
- Targets include Sukhaybarat South, Wadi Jarir, Jabal Jumaymah
- Historical drilling shows high-grade gold intercepts
- Reconnaissance rock chip sampling confirms additional prospects
- Drilling planned to start in October 2026
High-Resolution UAV Magnetics to Sharpen Drill Targets
Peako Limited (ASX:PKO) has commenced high-resolution unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) magnetic surveys over five key gold exploration targets across its Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) portfolio. Covering a combined 54 square kilometres and approximately 1,400 line kilometres flown at a low altitude of 33 metres, the surveys aim to deliver detailed magnetic, imagery, and topographic data to refine structural models and drill targeting ahead of maiden drilling programs scheduled for October 2026.
The survey grids span the Sukhaybarat South, Wadi Jarir, and Jabal Jumaymah license areas, all part of Peako’s recently acquired 862km² portfolio in the Central Arabian Gold Region. This region hosts multi-million-ounce gold deposits and remains underexplored, offering a rare early-stage discovery frontier.
Key Targets Show Promising Historical Gold Mineralisation
At Sukhaybarat South, three magnetic grids focus on Redhill SE, Matar, and Karak targets. Historical reverse circulation drilling at Redhill SE returned high-grade intercepts including 4 metres at 11.32 g/t gold and 5 metres at 5.6 g/t gold, while rock chip sampling at Matar yielded assays up to 22.9 g/t gold. Karak, structurally similar to the nearby 2 million-ounce Sukhaybarat Gold Mine, has rock chip grades reaching 9.1 g/t gold over a strike length of at least 2 kilometres.
The Wadi Jarir target features an 8km-long quartz carbonate vein system with rock chip samples up to 41.5 g/t gold. Historical drilling has largely missed the primary veins, highlighting the importance of refined targeting from the upcoming magnetic surveys. Jabal Jumaymah’s southern target area has seen scout drilling intercepts including 7 metres at 10.12 g/t gold and rock chip values up to 41 g/t gold across a 1.1km vein strike.
Reconnaissance Sampling Highlights Additional Prospects
Beyond the main grids, reconnaissance rock chip sampling at Bulgah East returned assays up to 5.05 g/t gold along a 10-kilometre gold-in-soil anomaly adjacent to the 3.4 million-ounce Bulgah Gold deposit. At Wadi Ash Shuwayla, mapping identified epithermal-style alteration and quartz brecciation zones with rock chip grades up to 0.74 g/t gold, suggesting potential for low-sulphidation epithermal systems.
Strategic Entry into a Tier-1 Gold Province
Peako’s entry into Saudi Arabia was approved by shareholders in August 2026, acquiring a 100% interest in the projects from Desert Ex LLC, subject to customary conditions and a 1% net smelter return royalty. The Central Arabian Gold Region shares geological traits with prolific gold provinces globally, yet remains underexplored due to historical dominance by a single state operator.
Chairman Gernot Abl highlighted the significance of the surveys, stating, "The magnetics data from key targets across the Sukhaybarat South, Wadi Jarir and Jabal Jumaymah licence areas will enhance our geological interpretation, structural understanding, and exploration targeting as we prepare to commence drilling in October." The company’s approach combines immediate drill-ready targets with a pipeline of early-stage prospects, aiming to deliver multiple near-term catalysts.
With drilling planned to start in October, the market will be keen to see how the high-resolution magnetic data translates into drill success and whether Peako can unlock new discoveries in this emerging gold frontier.
Bottom Line?
Peako’s UAV magnetics mark a critical step in refining drill targets ahead of first Saudi Arabia drilling, with assay results poised to shape near-term exploration success.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the magnetic survey data influence final drill hole locations and prioritisation?
- Can Peako replicate or exceed historical high-grade intercepts in its maiden drilling programs?
- What additional discoveries might emerge from early-stage prospects like Bulgah East and Wadi Ash Shuwayla?