• Brightstar has commenced phase 2 drilling at the Yunndaga deposit, targeting resource extensions and infill
• Phase 2 drilling includes 5,000m of RC and 2,500m of diamond drilling
• Drilling aims to provide crucial geotechnical and metallurgical data to progress the deposit

Brightstar Resources Limited (ASX: BTR) has announced the commencement of Phase 2 reverse circulation (RC) drilling at the Yunndaga deposit, which is part of the Menzies Hub and hosts a current Mineral Resource Estimate of 0.6Moz @ 1.4g/t Au. The Yunndaga area was a substantial historic producer, with over 270koz of gold extracted at an average grade of +16g/t Au from 1896 to 1943. The current resource extends to 240m vertical depth, with a recent feasibility study highlighting the potential for an underground operation producing 0.6Mt @ 2.6g/t Au (diluted mined grade) for ~50koz Au recovered gold production. Brightstar's Phase 1 drilling program targeted initial infill of the resource, intersecting significant high-grade mineralisation. The second phase aims to step out from these infill areas and target extensions to the resource, both at depth and along strike to the north. The diamond drilling component will also provide crucial geotechnical data and metallurgical samples to facilitate further development work at the deposit. Brightstar's Managing Director, Alex Rovira, commented that the next phase of drilling at Yunndaga is a key piece of the company's fast-tracked Menzies development plans, as it will help to further de-risk the project and test the exploration upside.

The combined diamond and RC drilling program at Yunndaga will provide the geological, geotechnical, and metallurgical data to progress the deposit to the next stage, with a number of holes also targeting extensions to the resource and optimised mine plan.