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Highlights
Yandal Resources Ltd (ASX:YRL) initiates air-core drilling at Caladan within Ironstone Well-Barwidgee Gold Project
Program spans a broad fold structure influenced by Idaho Shear Zone, with early work defining the Arrakis Prospect
Initial drilling phase to test strike continuity across strategically aligned geological lines
The mining sector on the ASX 200 saw renewed exploration efforts as Yandal Resources Ltd (ASX:YRL) commenced a large-scale air-core drilling program at its Caladan prospect. The Caladan area forms part of the Ironstone Well-Barwidgee Gold Project, located in the Yandal Greenstone Belt of Western Australia, an area known for its rich geological structures and mineral potential. The broader indexes reflected stable conditions amid activity in mid-tier resource stocks and continued project expansions.
Extensive Drilling Strategy at Caladan
Yandal Resources has outlined a significant air-core drilling initiative covering multiple lines across the Caladan fold structure. The drilling lines are spaced to evaluate a broad strike corridor that extends over several kilometres. This fold is truncated by the Idaho Shear Zone, which links key shear systems within the region and resembles structural patterns observed in prominent mining districts.
The campaign will include detailed testing through both widely spaced and closer-spaced holes, focused on areas where gravity data and earlier reconnaissance drilling suggest notable geological features. These efforts aim to map the bedrock interface and define continuity along the identified structures.
Geological Insights from the Arrakis Prospect
Previous work across the Caladan region has helped define the Arrakis Prospect, an area showing evidence of primary gold mineralisation within the regolith profile. The anomaly sits within a broad fold that exhibits northwest plunging structures and complex shear interactions.
Exploration activity has identified strong gold depletion zones in the upper layers, supported by fractionated dolerites beneath. These characteristics align with mineralisation patterns observed in comparable geological settings across the Yandal Belt. A simplified collar plan illustrates key drill lines across the Caladan and adjacent Irulan target areas, highlighting ongoing evaluation zones.
Phase Structure and Assay Timeline
Drilling at Caladan is structured in phases, with the first phase prioritising high-interest structural corridors already indicated by preliminary data. Hole spacing ranges across intervals that provide both broad reconnaissance and focused follow-up evaluation. Assay results from the initial campaign are anticipated during the second half of the year, depending on the turnaround at testing facilities.
The area remains largely unexplored beneath transported overburden, with limited historical drilling focused only on near-surface indicators. This program seeks to expand geological understanding through deeper sampling and structural delineation.
Forward Focus on Project Expansion
Yandal Resources Ltd (ASX:YRL) continues to allocate exploration efforts across its broader portfolio while maintaining a structured approach to resource evaluation. In addition to the ongoing Caladan campaign, the company is planning further activity at New England Granite and additional heritage assessments.
Project-level updates and field progress will remain essential in refining the scope and focus of ongoing campaigns. The Caladan Fold’s interaction with the Idaho Shear Zone, combined with regolith anomaly confirmations at Arrakis, provides a basis for continued geological mapping and resource definition initiatives.
