First Development Resources (AIM:FDR), the AIM-listed, Australia-focused exploration company, announced that Phase I, Stage II reverse-circulation drilling has begun at its Lander West gold project in the Northern Territory.
The fully funded programme targets around 2,000 metres of drilling, following up gold mineralisation intersected during Stage I at Red Handed and testing additional priority targets, with hole locations and depths subject to adjustment as drilling progresses.
Stage I confirmed gold mineralisation in bedrock, including 7 metres at 0.40 g/t gold from 50 metres downhole in hole 26LWR08, with an internal 2 metres grading 0.98 g/t gold.
The company said Stage II will test extensions along strike and down-dip from that intersection, seeking higher grades, greater mineralised thickness and evidence of continuity.
First Development had earlier flagged that Stage II would include holes aimed directly at 26LWR08 as well as holes testing historical intercept RHB108, located around 834 metres away, where previous drilling returned 16 metres at 0.30 g/t gold from 12 metres, including 2 metres at 1.93 g/t; continuity between the two intersections has not yet been established.
"Having confirmed gold in bedrock during Stage I, we are taking the next step: testing how far that mineralisation extends and whether it strengthens," said Tristan Pottas, chief executive of First Development, adding that he will join the team on site to assist with operational activities.
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