Gold developer Rox Resources has reported high-grade assay results from its resource conversion and growth drilling campaign at its Youanmi gold mine in Western Australia.
The surface diamond drilling program is targeting the United North deposit, aiming to convert inferred resources into indicated categories while testing extensions beneath the existing resource boundary.
Initial assay highlights include a high-grade step-out intercept of 4.87 metres at 15.13 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 584.13 metres, which featured a higher-grade zone of 1.78 metres at 32.98 g/t gold. Infill drilling designed to convert inferred resources also returned 3.16 metres at 3.78 g/t gold from 448.20 metres.
The results confirm down-plunge continuity of the main and hanging-wall shear structures approximately 25 metres below the current resource boundary and 50 metres beneath the deepest prior drill hole.
Rox Resources CEO Phill Wilding said the initial assays validate the company’s geological model and demonstrate significant growth potential at depth.
“The first results are encouraging, with the infill drilling confirming the existing geological model and the first growth step-out hole returning a very high-grade intercept in the expected position and in line with projected plunge of the orebody,” Wilding said.
“The key objective of this work is to grow the ore system, extend the mine life of Youanmi, and contribute to Rox’s aspiration of becoming a 150,000-ounce-per-year operation.”
Wilding added that if subsequent drilling continues to confirm the geological interpretation, the company will evaluate options to boost production rates and lengthen project life.
Following an updated resource estimate in September 2026 standing at 2.195 million ounces of gold, surface diamond drilling is scheduled to continue into early 2027 alongside underground drilling operations.
Rox remains focused on achieving first gold production at Youanmi by mid-2027, with additional assay results from completed holes expected before the end of the year.
