Gold Discovery Confirmed at Arrakis with Impressive 54-Meter Intercept
Yandal Resources (ASX: YRL) has confirmed a significant gold discovery at its Arrakis prospect, intersecting 54 meters at 1.2 g/t gold including a high-grade zone of 24 meters at 2.1 g/t gold. The discovery, located within the company's Ironstone Well-Barwidgee Gold Project in Western Australia's prolific Yandal Greenstone Belt, represents a major milestone in Yandal's exploration strategy.
Discovery Details Reveal Substantial Gold System
The first two reverse circulation (RC) drill holes from Yandal's recently completed 1,374m drilling program have returned exceptional results, confirming primary gold mineralisation in fresh rock below previous air-core intercepts:
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25IWBRC0040: 54m @ 1.2g/t Au from 108m to end of hole (EOH), including:
- 24m @ 2.1g/t Au from 138m to EOH
- 8m @ 4.7g/t Au from 154m to EOH
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25IWBRC0041: 6m @ 1.1g/t Au from 180m to EOH
These intercepts are particularly significant as they confirm gold mineralisation extends into fresh rock with an apparent sub-vertical geometry approximately 30 meters wide.
"In a region where gold remobilisation within the regolith profile is common and complex, fresh rock tests represent a significant milestone in de-risking and progressing exploration targets. These first results demonstrate significant primary fresh rock mineralisation, confirming the discovery of a new mineralised system at Arrakis and the capacity for this system to be large in scale." – Chris Oorschot, Managing Director
Understanding the Arrakis Gold Structure
The Arrakis prospect is situated within the Caladan target area, located 60km south of Northern Star's Jundee mining complex and 18km north of the recent Siona discovery. What makes this discovery particularly exciting is its scale – mineralisation has been identified across five consecutive and broadly spaced lines spanning over 2.2km of strike length.
Geological observations reveal that high-grade mineralisation at Arrakis is associated with:
- Micro-crystalline quartz alteration/veining
- Intense silica-albite-carbonate alteration
- Disseminated fine to medium-grained pyrite and arsenopyrite (up to 5%)
- Fine irregular quartz veining within heavily sheared and fractured rock
The discovery of primary gold mineralisation in fresh rock is especially significant in a region known for complex gold remobilisation in the regolith profile. This confirmation substantially de-risks the Arrakis prospect and demonstrates its potential to host a large-scale gold system.
What Makes Primary Fresh Rock Mineralisation Important?
For investors new to gold exploration, the distinction between weathered and fresh rock mineralisation is crucial. Weathered or regolith gold can sometimes be misleading – it may represent gold that has been remobilised from elsewhere, potentially creating false anomalies or masking the true nature of an underlying deposit.
Primary mineralisation in fresh rock, as confirmed at Arrakis, provides much greater confidence in the gold system's authenticity and potential scale. It represents gold in its original depositional location, allowing geologists to better understand the controlling structures and accurately target future drilling.
The broader mineralisation observed in fresh rock compared to weathered intervals at Arrakis suggests gold depletion in the weathered profile – a common phenomenon that can lead to underestimation of a deposit's true potential when relying solely on weathered zone intercepts.
Upcoming Catalysts and Next Steps
Yandal Resources has outlined clear next steps to advance the Arrakis discovery:
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Additional RC Results: Results from five additional RC holes testing the Arrakis trend over 2.2km of strike are expected in the coming weeks
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Diamond Drilling Program: Plans to re-enter and extend hole 25IWBRC0041 with diamond drilling in October
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Heritage Surveys: A second heritage survey is scheduled for late September/early October to clear closer-spaced drilling lines across the Arrakis Prospect
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Expanded RC Drilling: Additional RC drilling along strike to the north and south of the current intercepts
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Results from New England Granite: First results from air-core drilling across this target area expected soon
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Gordons Gold Project Sale: Completion of the sale agreement for total consideration of A$2.81m in cash and Horizon Minerals shares
Investment Thesis: Why Yandal Resources Deserves Attention
With the confirmation of the Arrakis discovery, Yandal Resources has demonstrated the effectiveness of its systematic exploration approach in a well-endowed gold district. Several factors make Yandal an attractive investment proposition:
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Strategic Location: The company's projects are situated in the highly prospective Yandal Greenstone Belt, home to multi-million-ounce gold deposits
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Discovery Potential: The 2.2km strike length at Arrakis has been defined by broadly spaced drilling (400m-800m), suggesting significant potential for additional discoveries as infill drilling progresses
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Strong Cash Position: Yandal maintains a robust cash position, with additional funds coming from the Gordons Gold Project sale
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Existing Resource Base: The company already has a substantial mineral resource of 470,200oz across its project portfolio
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Experienced Management: Led by Managing Director Chris Oorschot, the team has demonstrated geological acumen in identifying and systematically testing the Arrakis target
The scale and grade of the Arrakis discovery, combined with its location in a tier-one mining jurisdiction, position Yandal Resources as a compelling gold exploration opportunity. With multiple drilling programs ongoing and a clear strategy for expanding the discovery, investors should watch closely for further news flow that could significantly enhance the company's valuation.
Ready to Capitalise on Yandal's Gold Discovery Potential?
Don't miss the opportunity to be part of Yandal Resources' exciting journey as they develop the significant Arrakis gold discovery. With impressive intercepts including 54 metres at 1.2g/t gold and a substantial 2.2km strike length, this ASX-listed explorer is positioned for growth in Western Australia's prolific Yandal Greenstone Belt. For comprehensive investor information and to stay updated on upcoming drilling results and project developments, visit Yandal's Investor Hub today.