Ordell’s McNabs East drilling builds momentum toward first gold resource

McNabs East assays extend shallow gold zone

Ordell Minerals Limited (ASX:ORD) has reported another set of broad gold intersections at its McNabs East prospect in Western Australia, strengthening the geological case for a shallow, potentially open-pit development. The latest results confirm continuous mineralisation over roughly 400 metres of strike, beginning at about 10 metres below surface, with the zone still open.

The strongest intercepts included 23 metres at 1.60 grams per tonne gold from 77 metres in hole 26BARC349 and 32 metres at 1.08g/t from 91 metres in 26BARC361, including 15 metres at 1.63g/t. Near-surface results included 8 metres at 3.35g/t from 11 metres in 26BARC345, while other holes returned 22 metres at 1.22g/t and 13 metres at 1.32g/t.

The results add to the earlier 11-hole infill results, which also supported Ordell’s plan to prepare a maiden resource for McNabs East. Together, the reported assays cover only about 30% of the 122-hole, 8,625-metre RC programme completed across 1,400 metres of strike, leaving further results in the pipeline.

Maiden resource and mine studies move in parallel

Ordell is targeting the maiden McNabs East Mineral Resource Estimate for the December 2026 quarter. The company says the resource will cover the Main Zone and Northern Zone, with the latest drilling focused on shallow mineralisation that could potentially be extracted by open-pit methods.

Mine technical work is also progressing, but remains at an early stage. Water-bore drilling is planned for October, with geotechnical and metallurgical drilling and associated test work scheduled later in 2026. The wider work programme includes geological modelling, environmental reviews and assessment of existing geotechnical data.

Open extensions and resource caveats remain

Ordell has completed a 125-hole, 6,500-metre air-core programme aimed at finding new gold-bearing felsic intrusions along the Barimaia system. Further drilling is planned at depth and down plunge at McNabs East, alongside follow-up work on any anomalies generated by the air-core campaign.

The encouraging grades should not be confused with a resource, reserve or economic study. The reported intersections are down-hole lengths, not stated true widths, and Ordell’s JORC commentary says the current drill spacing is not yet sufficient to confirm the geological and grade continuity needed for Mineral Resource classifications. Assays are also pending for four holes, leaving the December resource estimate as the next substantive test of how much of this continuity can be converted into a formal inventory.