Brightstar Unveils High-Grade Gold Hits at Second Fortune Ahead of Resource Update

Strong Assay Results Reinforce Second Fortune’s Potential

Brightstar Resources Limited (ASX: BTR) has released assay results from the latest underground diamond drilling program at its Second Fortune Gold Mine, located south of Laverton, Western Australia. The 23 newly reported holes form part of a broader 39-hole campaign designed to infill and extend the known ore body, with assays revealing narrow but consistently high-grade gold veins.

Notable intercepts include 1.16 metres grading 30.36 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 101.6 metres, and 2.05 metres at 13.85 g/t from 97.75 metres, among others. These results confirm the presence of multiple parallel mineralised veins typical of the Second Fortune ore system, which remains open at depth and along strike.

Implications for Mine Planning and Resource Growth

The underground drilling program was strategically executed to provide critical geological data for mine planning and scheduling, as well as to underpin an upcoming Mineral Resource update slated for the first half of 2025. Brightstar’s Managing Director, Alex Rovira, emphasised that the drilling not only infilled key areas to increase confidence in resource estimates but also targeted extensional zones at the edges of the current mine plan.

This approach could potentially add up to 12 months of mine life and three additional production levels, extending the operational horizon of Second Fortune. The geological consistency demonstrated by these results aligns with the mine’s operational history and supports ongoing development efforts.

Operational Progress and Processing Outlook

Brightstar is actively hauling high-grade ore from Second Fortune stockpiles, with material scheduled for processing at Genesis Minerals’ Laverton mill in March 2025 under an Ore Purchase Agreement. This collaboration is a key component of Brightstar’s production strategy, facilitating efficient processing without the immediate need for capital-intensive infrastructure.

Alongside Second Fortune, Brightstar continues exploration at its Sandstone project and advances definitive feasibility studies for its Menzies and Laverton operations, signaling a multi-pronged growth strategy across its portfolio.

Geological Context and Technical Details

The Second Fortune deposit is situated within the Laverton Tectonic Zone on the eastern margin of the Norseman-Wiluna Belt. Gold mineralisation is hosted within a steeply west-dipping, arcuate quartz vein system with widths ranging from 0.2 to 2.0 metres. The vein system comprises a Main Lode and subsidiary Hangingwall and Footwall lodes, with mineralisation characterized by pyrite and alteration halos of sericitic and chloritic minerals.

Drilling was conducted with industry-standard diamond core techniques, with samples assayed via fire assay methods to ensure accuracy. The data spacing of approximately 25m by 25m, combined with detailed geological logging, supports robust resource estimation and mine planning.

Looking Ahead

Brightstar’s forthcoming Mineral Resource update will be a critical milestone, potentially reshaping the mine’s production profile and extending its life. The company’s integrated approach, combining exploration, resource definition, and strategic processing partnerships, positions it well to capitalise on the high-grade nature of Second Fortune’s gold mineralisation.