Far Northern Resources Launches Diamond Drilling at Bridge Creek Gold Project to Enhance Resource Insights

First Drilling at Bridge Creek Since 1994 Focuses on Resource Characterisation

Far Northern Resources has commenced a diamond drilling program at its Bridge Creek Mining Lease, representing a pivotal step in the company’s exploration plan. The six-hole program will extract 750 metres of core over roughly four weeks. This marks the first test work at Bridge Creek since 1994, following the company’s announcement on 12 June 2026.

The drilling aims to collect core samples to analyze density, geotechnical, metallurgical, and waste rock characteristics of the Bridge Creek Gold Deposit. Managing Director Cameron Woodrow emphasized that this drilling is vital for advancing understanding of the resource and mineralisation system. The data collected will inform preliminary mining studies and may help upgrade the resource classification, providing insights unavailable through reverse-circulation drilling alone.

Bridge Creek and IOS Deposits Hold 117,000 Ounces of Gold Resources

Far Northern Resources controls a significant mineral resource base in the Northern Territory. As of June 2026, the combined Bridge Creek and IOS deposits contain approximately 117,000 ounces of defined gold resources. Specifically, Bridge Creek Central holds 2.0 million tonnes at 1.18 g/t, equating to 76,000 ounces, while Bridge Creek South contains 0.7 million tonnes at 0.80 g/t, representing 17,000 ounces. The IOS deposit, situated about 3.5 kilometres north of Bridge Creek Central, comprises 0.5 million tonnes at 1.49 g/t, totaling 24,000 ounces of inferred mineral resource.

Management views these deposits as parts of a larger mineralised system along the Cosmo-Howley Anticline. Recent drilling extended mineralisation approximately 750 metres south of Bridge Creek, with exploration confirming gold mineralisation between deposits and identifying multiple targets for further drilling. The Empire Stockworks project in Queensland adds 23,000 ounces of gold resources, bringing the total defined mineral resources to about 140,000 ounces as of June 2026. All resources remain inferred except Empire Stockworks, which includes 17,000 ounces indicated and 6,000 ounces inferred.

Strategic Control Along Cosmo-Howley Anticline Encompasses Multiple Gold Systems

Far Northern Resources holds around five kilometres of strike length along the Cosmo-Howley Anticline, a key geological structure in the Northern Territory known for hosting several historic and active gold mines. The Bridge Creek Project lies within this structure, enabling exploration and development of multiple mineralisation targets within a continuous mineralised system. This extensive tenure offers a substantial exploration footprint in a region with proven gold production.

Since acquiring Bridge Creek about four years ago, the company has focused on validating historical drilling data and testing deposit extensions north and south. Recent announcements on 6 August 2025 and 12 June 2026 detail these efforts. Over the next year, exploration drilling will continue along the Cosmo-Howley structure between Bridge Creek and IOS, reflecting management’s view of a larger interconnected gold system with significant growth potential.

Recent Drilling Expands Mineralisation South of Bridge Creek

Exploration drilling has recently extended mineralisation roughly 750 metres south of the current Bridge Creek resource, significantly enlarging the gold-bearing geological footprint. This expansion indicates the mineralised system may extend beyond existing resource boundaries, offering opportunities for further definition and potential resource upgrades. Confirmed gold mineralisation between known deposits and multiple new targets highlight a larger mineralised system than previously estimated.

This expanded mineralisation and identified targets create a clear exploration pipeline. The ongoing diamond drilling at Bridge Creek aims to test these extensions and gather data essential for preliminary mining studies. Core samples from these areas will enhance understanding of resource potential and may support upgrading resource classifications from inferred to indicated, increasing confidence in the mineral resource estimate.

Diamond Drilling to Facilitate Mining Study Development

The diamond drilling program is a critical step toward advancing Bridge Creek toward mining feasibility. The collected core samples will provide key data on physical and geotechnical properties vital for mine design and operations, which cannot be reliably obtained from reverse-circulation drilling.

Information from the 750-metre drilling over four weeks will inform parameters for preliminary mining studies, including mining methods, processing options, capital costs, and operational feasibility. Upgrading resource classification from inferred to indicated would significantly improve confidence in resource estimates, supporting progression to prefeasibility and feasibility stages. This systematic data collection underscores the company’s commitment to advancing Bridge Creek through standard exploration and development phases.

Bridge Creek Acquisition Forms Core of Northern Territory Strategy

Far Northern Resources acquired Bridge Creek about four years before the 23 July 2026 update, forming a strategic base for its Northern Territory activities. The company listed on the ASX just over two years ago, bringing Bridge Creek to public markets with historical drilling and resource details in its prospectus. Since listing, the focus has been on validating historic data and testing deposit extensions to assess mineralised system limits.

This progression from acquisition to listing and systematic exploration reflects a disciplined advancement strategy. Validation and extension testing have yielded positive results, including southern extensions and mineralisation between deposits. The current diamond drilling program continues this methodical approach, aiming to fully understand the mineralised system before committing to capital-intensive prefeasibility and feasibility studies.

Empire Stockworks Project Adds Queensland Diversification

Alongside Northern Territory projects, Far Northern Resources operates the Empire Stockworks project in Queensland. As of June 2026, Empire Stockworks holds 23,000 ounces of gold resources, including 17,000 ounces indicated and 6,000 ounces inferred, defined at a 0.2 g/t cut-off grade within 0.8 million tonnes at 0.85 g/t. The update did not specify current exploration or development status at Empire Stockworks.

This project provides geographic diversification across two Australian states and exposure to varied geological settings and mineralisation styles. While the update focuses on Bridge Creek, Empire Stockworks remains a key asset in the company’s portfolio. Combined resources from Bridge Creek, IOS, and Empire Stockworks total approximately 140,000 ounces of gold as of June 2026, establishing a substantial base for this junior explorer.

Company Strategy Prioritises Systematic Geological Analysis and Testing

Far Northern Resources employs a disciplined approach emphasizing thorough geological understanding and systematic testing. Managing Director Cameron Woodrow highlighted the focus on validating historic drilling and testing extensions to define mineralisation fully. This contrasts with approaches that advance prematurely without comprehensive resource understanding.

Viewing Bridge Creek and IOS as parts of a continuous mineralised system along the Cosmo-Howley Anticline guides exploration and resource definition. Recent drilling confirmed mineralisation between deposits and identified new targets. The current diamond drilling program, providing core samples and detailed geotechnical and metallurgical data, represents a logical next step in this systematic exploration, delivering insights beyond those possible with reverse-circulation drilling.