Rox Resources Limited has commenced a new surface diamond drilling program at its 100%-owned Youanmi Gold Mine in Western Australia, targeting resource conversion and extensions across the high-grade gold ore system.

The campaign follows an updated Mineral Resource Estimate of 12.4 million tonnes at 5.5 grams per tonne gold for 2.195 million ounces. This compares to the previous estimate of 2.17 million ounces recorded as of 21 July 2025. Ahead of the drilling launch, Rox advanced site preparations by commencing pit dewatering and pushing forward underground decline development at the United North deposit.

Surface diamond drilling is scheduled to continue through the remainder of the year and into early 2027. Underground drilling operations are running in parallel, with a second diamond rig planned for deployment from early 2027.

Recent operational work has focused on improving geological understanding across the site. Structural re-logging of historical diamond core identified a southwards plunge direction for gold mineralisation at United North, where flipped hanging-wall up movements align with high-grade zones. The geological team has incorporated these findings into operational face mapping and the updated resource model to refine targeting for the current program.

The initial phase focuses on resource conversion to upgrade inferred material to the indicated classification, supporting future reserve additions. This will be followed by step-out drilling to test down-plunge extensions of the United North mineralisation.

“The key objective of this work has been to support the planning of future drilling programs to grow the ore system, extend the mine life of Youanmi, and contribute to Rox's aspiration of becoming a 150,000ozpa operation.”

— Phill Wilding, Managing Director & CEO

Should the drilling confirm expected depths, it could support an updated resource model and mine plan capable of expanding production rates and extending mine life. First gold production from Youanmi remains targeted by mid-2027.

Elsewhere in the surrounding district, activity has continued across regional gold assets, including an intercept of 7 metres at 119 grams per tonne gold reported by Brightstar Resources Limited at its Sandstone project.

Read the full announcement: Resource growth drilling begins at Youanmi