Latest Mineral Resource Estimates News

Ballard Mining has expanded the Mt Ida Gold Project’s global Mineral Resource Estimate by 56% to 1.836 million ounces, while securing the approvals and cash runway needed to advance development studies. The pre-production company is now targeting a maiden Ore Reserve, feasibility study and Final Investment Decision in the first half of calendar 2027.

West Coast Silver will begin an 18-hole diamond drilling campaign at Elizabeth Hill in October, targeting resource upgrades, western extensions and a newly defined high-grade zone. The results are intended to feed Mineral Resource Estimate updates and a scoping study in 2027.

Magnum Mining’s latest 65-hole assay batch strengthens the Plateau Zone at Piracanjuba North, where desorbable rare earth results matter more than headline grade. The company now has assays from 373 of 894 drilled holes and is targeting a maiden JORC Mineral Resource Estimate by the end of November 2026.

Vital Metals reported a A$16.63 million FY2026 loss after impairing its North T mine asset by A$12.73 million, while its auditor highlighted material uncertainty over the company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The balance sheet was strengthened by A$12.47 million in placements, but Tardiff’s encouraging drilling results must now translate into a larger resource and a credible pre-feasibility study.

Golden Horse Minerals has reported its strongest gold intercept at Hopes Hill, with RC hole 26HHRC179 returning 4 metres at 73.3 grams per tonne gold from 88 metres. The result includes visible gold and a 293.2 gram-metre intercept, but its nuggety character means follow-up drilling and sampling will be crucial.

Brightstar Resources has nearly doubled the Two Mile Hill-Shillington Mineral Resource to 1.45 million ounces, with the Indicated component rising 177% to 526,000 ounces. The result lifts the broader Sandstone Gold Project to 3.6Moz, while assays from deeper drilling could provide another resource catalyst later in 2026.

Arika Resources has consolidated full ownership of its two Western Australian gold projects after a year of expanding mineralisation and fresh high-grade targets. The exploration story is gathering momentum, but auditors have flagged material uncertainty around funding as the company moves into a more than 20,000-metre drilling campaign.

Strata Minerals has shifted from broad exploration to a Zelica-centred Western Australian gold strategy, pairing strong drilling results with a proposed capital-light mining pathway funded by BML Ventures. The opportunity is growing, but the company remains loss-making and warns that further funding may be required to continue as a going concern.

Raiden Resources posted a wider FY2026 loss after impairing A$8.86 million of exploration assets, while its cash and term deposits fell to A$11.98 million. The company is now concentrating on Brazil’s Crixás gold tailings project, Bulgarian exploration and a proposed divestment of most of Mt Sholl.

Power Minerals has repositioned around two Brazilian critical minerals projects, led by Morro do Ferro’s thick, high-grade rare earth intersections and a conceptual 10.7Mt Exploration Target. The shift comes with stronger funding and no borrowings, but the audited accounts warn that further financing remains essential.

Breakthrough Minerals has shifted its centre of gravity to a 952-square-kilometre Queensland copper-gold portfolio, backed by an 18.8Mt JORC resource and early drilling success. The annual report also highlights the constraint: a A$5.69 million loss, ongoing cash burn and material uncertainty over future funding.

Nordic Resources increased its FY2026 loss as it accelerated exploration in Finland, drilling nearly 11,500 metres across its gold projects and ending the year with A$8.48 million in cash. The next test is whether drilling, metallurgy and permitting can turn a growing resource base into a mine development case.