Caladan Gold Target Remains Open at Depth as Yandal Plans Large-Scale Drilling Push

Exploration Progress at Arrakis

Yandal Resources Ltd (ASX: YRL) has announced positive results from its recent reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the Arrakis Prospect, part of the broader Caladan target area within the Ironstone Well-Barwidgee Gold Project in Western Australia. The program, comprising four RC holes totaling 700 meters, was designed to test mineralisation continuity below previously reported air-core intercepts.

The drilling confirmed continuous primary gold mineralisation down dip, with notable intercepts including 11 meters at 0.5 g/t Au from 168 meters, and 5 meters at 1.3 g/t Au from 243 meters, featuring higher-grade zones up to 2.7 g/t Au. These results reinforce the presence of multiple mineralised structures within the 3-kilometer-long CAL-01 regolith anomaly, now renamed the Arrakis Prospect.

Geological Significance of the Caladan Target Area

The Caladan target area covers an extensive 8km by 3km folded mafic sequence, truncated by the Idaho Shear Zone to the southwest. This geological setting bears strong resemblance to the Kalgoorlie gold district, where folded mafic stratigraphy is similarly truncated by major shear zones. Such analogies suggest significant potential for large-scale gold mineralisation.

Importantly, mineralisation at Arrakis is interpreted as sub-vertical and remains open both at depth and along strike, indicating substantial upside for further discovery. The recent RC drilling also identified new mineralised structures in the depleted upper regolith, presenting additional targets for future exploration.

Upcoming Large-Scale Air-Core Drilling Program

With heritage surveys now complete, Yandal Resources is preparing to commence a highly anticipated 12,500-meter air-core drilling program across the Caladan target area in May 2025. This program will systematically test the fold structure with eight drill lines spaced 800 meters apart, including two closer-spaced lines north and south of the existing Arrakis drilling.

The air-core program aims to cover approximately 6.4 kilometers of strike, with initial hole spacing of 200 meters and tighter spacing within the CAL-01 anomaly and across interpreted geological boundaries. Routine multi-element sampling will accompany the drilling, with results expected approximately eight weeks after program completion.

Strategic Positioning and Future Outlook

Located just 60 kilometers south of the Jundee mining complex and 18 kilometers north of the recent Siona discovery, the Caladan target area sits within the prolific Yandal Greenstone Belt, a well-known gold province. Yandal Resources’ Managing Director, Chris Oorschot, highlighted the rarity and quality of such an early-stage opportunity in a jurisdiction with excellent mining infrastructure.

The company maintains a strong cash position and an active exploration calendar, with additional results from diamond drilling at the Siona discovery expected by mid-May. The combination of geological potential, recent drilling success, and a robust upcoming drilling program positions Yandal Resources well to advance its gold exploration ambitions in the Northeastern Goldfields.