Extensive Air-Core Drilling Campaign Targets Large-Scale Gold System
Yandal Resources (ASX: YRL) has commenced a substantial 12,500-meter air-core drilling program at its Caladan target area, marking a significant step in exploring what could be a major gold system in Western Australia's Northeastern Goldfields region.
The program will test approximately 6.4km of strike along the large-scale Caladan fold structure, which spans an impressive 8km by 3km area. This untapped exploration opportunity lies within the company's Ironstone Well-Barwidgee Gold Project, strategically positioned just 60km south of Northern Star's Jundee mining complex and 18km north of the recent Siona discovery.
"The Caladan target represents one of our highest priority exploration areas. Its large-scale fold structure, truncated by the Idaho Shear Zone, presents a geological setting with compelling similarities to several well-endowed gold districts, including Kalgoorlie," said Managing Director Chris Oorschot.
Promising Early Results Drive Expanded Exploration
The current drilling campaign follows encouraging results from initial exploration at the Arrakis Prospect within the broader Caladan target area. Earlier drilling returned significant intercepts including 11m at 1.7 g/t Au from 97m to the end of hole, confirming primary gold mineralisation associated with a 3km-long regolith anomaly.
The Caladan target has several notable characteristics that make it particularly attractive:
- Large-scale fold structure truncated by the Idaho Shear Zone
- Similar geological architecture to the Kalgoorlie gold district
- Minimal historic drilling, with most previous attempts being ineffective
- Confirmed primary gold mineralisation in early drilling
- Multiple potential mineralised structures identified
Understanding the Caladan Gold System
What is a Fold Structure and Why Does It Matter?
The Caladan target's most distinctive feature is its large northwest-plunging fold structure. In gold exploration, fold structures are critical because they create ideal conditions for gold mineralisation:
- Structural traps: Folded rock layers create natural traps where gold-bearing fluids can accumulate
- Increased permeability: Folding creates fractures that allow mineralising fluids to flow
- Chemical contrasts: Different rock types brought together by folding can trigger gold precipitation
The Caladan fold's similarity to the Kalgoorlie district's Boomerang anticline is particularly significant. The Kalgoorlie district hosts some of Australia's richest gold deposits, including the Super Pit operation that has produced over 50 million ounces of gold.
Comprehensive Drilling Approach
The current air-core drilling program includes:
| Program Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Planned Meters | 12,500m |
| Number of Drill Holes | 100 |
| Line Spacing | 800m (with two 400m spaced lines) |
| Initial Hole Spacing | 200m (with closer spacing of 50-100m in areas of interest) |
| Target Strike Length | 6.4km |
| Average Drill Depth | 100m |
| Drilling Direction | -60° to the southwest |
| Estimated Completion | 4-6 weeks |
| Expected Results | Early July through end of August |
All holes will include routine bottom-of-hole multi-element sampling, providing valuable data on the underlying geology and potential mineralisation vectors.
Clear Path Forward
Yandal Resources maintains a strong cash position and has outlined a clear schedule of exploration activities for 2025:
- Complete the 12,500m Caladan air-core program within 4-6 weeks
- Schedule additional air-core drilling across the New England Granite following heritage surveys
- Receive and analyse all results from the Caladan program before the end of the September quarter
Why Investors Should Watch Yandal Resources
Yandal Resources offers investors exposure to a promising exploration story with several compelling attributes:
- Underexplored Territory: The Caladan target area remains largely untested despite its favourable geological setting
- Strategic Location: Projects situated in the highly prospective Yandal and Norseman-Wiluna Greenstone Belts
- Proven Team: Experienced management with a track record in gold exploration
- Systematic Approach: Methodical exploration strategy targeting high-priority areas
- Multiple Catalysts: Steady news flow expected through 2025 as drilling results are received
The Caladan target in particular presents a rare opportunity to explore a large-scale gold system with geological similarities to one of Australia's most prolific gold districts. With drilling now underway and results expected to flow from early July, investors should keep a close eye on developments that could significantly enhance Yandal's project portfolio.
The Geology of the Caladan Target Area
The Caladan target area is defined by a large northwest-plunging fold structure that is truncated by the Idaho Shear Zone to the southwest. This geological formation is particularly noteworthy as it bears structural similarities to the Kalgoorlie district, where the Boulder-Lefroy Fault truncates the folded mafic stratigraphy of the Boomerang anticline.
Several important geological characteristics make the Caladan target area promising:
- The fold structure is approximately 3km wide and over 8km long
- The area lies under loose to well-cemented transported cover with an average depth of only 8m
- The Idaho Shear is interpreted as a second-order structure linking the Ockerburry Shear Zone to the east and the Barwidgee Shear Zone to the west
- Previous drilling has identified fractionated dolerites separated by a sequence dominated by variably altered intermediate (andesite) volcaniclastics
- Primary gold mineralisation appears to be present on the margins of a sub-vertical 20-30m wide shear zone hosted within mafic units
The only systematic drilling across this fold structure was completed in 1995, consisting of shallow vertical RAB holes on a 400m by 400m spacing. This historic drilling was designed to penetrate through shallow transported cover and sample in-situ upper saprolite clays, but it was largely ineffective at properly testing the area's potential.
Recent air-core and RC drilling has confirmed strong gold depletion in the upper portion of the regolith profile, which may explain why previous shallow drilling failed to detect significant mineralisation. This suggests that the Caladan target area represents a genuine greenfield exploration opportunity despite being located in a well-established mining region.
Ready to Join the Caladan Gold Discovery?
Discover Yandal Resources' potential as they explore their promising large-scale gold system at the Caladan target. With a comprehensive 12,500-metre drilling programme underway and geological similarities to Australia's most prolific gold districts, now is the time to evaluate this investment opportunity. Visit Yandal Resources' Investor Hub for detailed project information, the latest drilling results, and to stay informed about this emerging gold exploration story.
