First Development Resources has appointed GD GeoDrill Australia Pty as drilling contractor for its maiden Phase I reverse-circulation drilling programme at the Lander West gold target within the company's 100%-owned Selta Project.
GeoDrill Australia was selected for its technical capabilities, modern high-performance RC fleet, experienced crews and safety management systems aligned to ISO 45001, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, and the appointment follows NT WorkSafe certification of First Development's updated risk management and emergency response plans authorising drilling to proceed; First Development Resources is a UK-based, Australia-focused exploration company with mineral interests in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
"Their combination of technical expertise, modern equipment and strong safety culture gives us confidence in the efficient execution of the programme," Tristan Pottas, Chief Executive Officer, said.
The Phase I RC programme is staged for up to 3,000 metres, comprising an initial priority phase followed by a flexible follow-up phase subject to field observations and results.
Drill targeting has been refined using recent AMAG, RAD and GAIP surveys integrated with geochemical and historical drilling datasets and is designed to test major shear zones and fault intersections, magnetic anomalies interpreted as intrusive bodies, coincident chargeability and magnetic anomalies associated with potential hydrothermal alteration, anomalous gold and arsenic geochemistry and targets beneath shallow sediment cover.
Lander West sits within the Stafford Gold Trend, a recognised mineralised corridor hosting gold and antimony on neighbouring tenements, and recent nearby drilling by iTech Minerals supports the company's targeting rationale.
