Stage II Drilling Set to Commence at Lander West
Stage II drilling commencing at Lander West to follow up Stage I gold discovery at Red Handed.
- Stage II holes planned approximately 12 holes
- Stage II metres planned 1,920 metres
- Stage I hole 26LWR08 intersection 7m @ 0.40 g/t gold from 50m downhole
- Stage I hole 26LWR08 high-grade intersection 2m @ 0.98 g/t gold
- Historical hole RHB108 intersection 16m @ 0.30 g/t gold from 12m downhole
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First Development Resources plc (AIM: FDR), the Australian-focused exploration company, announces that priority soil sampling at Lander West is complete and Bullion Drilling Co Pty Ltd (“Bullion Drilling”) is mobilising to site for Phase I, Stage II reverse-circulation (“RC”) drilling. Drilling is expected to commence in the coming days at the Lander West Gold Project in the Northern Territory.
The programme follows up the Stage I results, which confirmed gold mineralisation in bedrock at Red Handed. Phase I was designed to proceed in stages, using results from the first holes to guide the next tests.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Contractor ready: Bullion Drilling is preparing to commence follow-up RC drilling, with access and drill pads established.
- Focused programme: approximately 12 holes for 1,920 metres are planned for Stage II, funded from existing cash resources, with the final hole positions subject to refinement in the field.
- Stage I discovery: hole 26LWR08 intersected 7m @ 0.40 g/t gold from 50m downhole, including 2m @ 0.98 g/t gold.
- Clear objective: test for higher grades, greater mineralised thickness and continuity along strike and down dip, while examining other priority targets.
- Soil sampling complete: samples are being prepared for dispatch to ALS Laboratory for analysis.
Tristan Pottas, Chief Executive Officer, commented:
“Stage I confirmed gold mineralisation in bedrock at Red Handed and gave us a much clearer picture of where to drill next. We designed Phase I to progress in stages, with each set of results guiding the next. The findings have given us the confidence to return to Lander West without delay.
“I am particularly pleased to have Bullion Drilling mobilising to site to begin our Stage II drill programme. Their experience is well suited to this focused follow-up programme. Stage II will test whether we can identify higher grades, greater mineralised thickness and continuity along strike and down dip. We are excited to get the drill turning and see what these targets deliver.”
PHASE I, STAGE II DRILLING
The Stage II programme focuses on Red Handed, where Stage I confirmed gold mineralisation in bedrock. Approximately 12 holes for 1,920 metres are planned and several holes will follow up 26LWR08, which intersected gold in altered, sulphide-bearing dolerite. These holes are designed to test for improvements in grade and thickness along strike and down dip, and to assess the extent of the mineralised zone.
Further holes will follow up historical hole RHB108, which returned 16m @ 0.30 g/t gold from 12m downhole, including 2m @ 1.93 g/t gold. RHB108 lies approximately 834 metres from 26LWR08. The two intersections represent separate targets at this stage; continuity between them has not been established.
The programme will also test selected Red Handed targets identified from geological and geophysical data. The field team may refine hole positions and depths as drilling improves its understanding of the geology, allowing the programme to respond to what is found on the ground.
SITE PREPARATION
Access and drill pads for the Phase I, Stage II programme have been established. Bullion is mobilising to site, with drilling expected to commence in the coming days.
BULLION DRILLING
FDR has appointed Bullion Drilling Co Pty Ltd to undertake Stage II drilling. Established in 2004, Bullion has delivered exploration drilling programmes across Australia, including in remote locations. Its experience in RC, aircore and RAB drilling, supported by equipment suited to remote operations, makes it well placed to undertake the Lander West programme.
The Company is particularly pleased to be working with Bullion Drilling’s owner-operator, Paul Scanlon, who will be directly involved in the drilling. FDR values the practical experience he and his team bring to this focused follow-up programme.
SOIL SAMPLING PROGRAMME COMPLETE
The priority soil-sampling programme at Lander West is complete, and samples are being prepared for dispatch to ALS Laboratory in Adelaide for analysis. The programme was designed to fill gaps in historical sampling and assess gold and associated elements across the wider target area, helping FDR rank targets for future exploration.
NEXT STEPS
Stage I, results of which were announced on 15 September 2026, comprised eight RC holes totalling 1,593 metres. The 26LWR08 gold intersection was associated with altered dolerite, sulphides and quartz veining. These observations, together with historical drilling and geophysical data, have guided the Stage II targets.
Stage II drilling is independent of the soil-sampling results and is designed to follow up targets identified from Stage I drilling and the wider geological and geophysical dataset. The soil-sampling and Stage II drilling programmes are both funded from the Company’s existing cash resources. FDR will report results from each programme as they become available.
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