Brightstar Uncovers High-Grade Southern Extensions at Lord Byron Gold Deposit

Context and Drilling Highlights

Brightstar Resources Limited (ASX, BTR) has announced encouraging results from its 2025 reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign at the Lord Byron gold deposit, part of its broader Goldfields Hub in Western Australia. The program, comprising 22 holes for approximately 2,000 metres, focused on infilling and extending the southern oxide zone of the deposit, which remains open along strike and at depth.

Key intercepts from the October 2025 follow-up drilling include 9 metres at 3.49 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 138 metres, including a high-grade 1 metre interval at 24.7 g/t, and 4 metres at 6.71 g/t from 128 metres, featuring a 1 metre section at 19.6 g/t. These results build on earlier high-grade intercepts such as 32 metres at 7.16 g/t from 69 metres, underscoring the potential of the southern lode extension.

Mineral Resource Update and Implications

The drilling outcomes have been incorporated into an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) effective January 2026. This update reflects a 6% increase in total resources to 5.4 million tonnes at 1.5 g/t gold, equating to 267,000 ounces. Notably, measured and indicated resources have risen by 8% to 122,000 ounces at 1.6 g/t, enhancing the confidence level in the deposit’s near-surface oxide ounces.

Brightstar’s Managing Director, Alex Rovira, highlighted the importance of these results for the upcoming Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS2.0), stating that the drilling rapidly delineates the shallow southern extension, which remains open for further exploration. The increased resource confidence is critical for mine planning and supports the company’s target of a Final Investment Decision by March 2026.

Geological and Technical Insights

The Lord Byron deposit is hosted within a complex package of mafic amphibolite and banded iron formations, intersected by the Bicentennial Shear Zone; a 100-metre-wide structural corridor that controls the bulk of mineralisation. The recent drilling suggests the southern lode dips more steeply and strikes more towards the south-southeast than previously interpreted, which has implications for targeting and resource modelling.

Extensive historical drilling data, combined with Brightstar’s recent programs, underpin the updated resource model. The company has applied rigorous quality assurance and control protocols, and the resource estimate complies with the JORC 2012 code. Metallurgical testwork confirms the ore’s amenability to conventional carbon-in-leach (CIL) processing at Brightstar’s planned new facility near Laverton.

Looking Ahead

With Lord Byron fully approved for mining operations in 2026, Brightstar is poised to incorporate the southern extension into updated mine plans. Exploration will continue to focus on extending the lode along strike and at depth, as well as testing new targets beneath shallow cover. The company’s broader strategy aims to leverage its Goldfields Hub assets to become a leading mid-tier gold producer in Western Australia.