Brightstar Resources Limited has announced that it is entering the next phase of its drilling program at the Yunndaga deposit, a key asset within its Menzies Hub. The current resource at Yunndaga stands at 3.4 million tonnes grading 1.4 grams per tonne for approximately 156,000 ounces of gold. Earlier in the year, 6,100 meters of reverse circulation (RC) drilling were completed to infill portions of the existing mineral resource estimate. The new phase will add about 5,000 meters of RC drilling combined with 2,500 meters of diamond drilling, with the aim of both extending the deposit and further infilling high-grade zones. Historically a significant gold producer, the Yunndaga area was once mined by Menzies Consolidated Gold Mines, which achieved over 270,000 ounces at an average grade exceeding 16 grams per tonne during the period from 1896 to 1943. Subsequent open pit operations in the mid-1990s added roughly 64,000 ounces at 2.5 grams per tonne. A recent feasibility study outlined the potential for an underground operation, projecting the possibility of mining 0.6 million tonnes at a diluted grade of 2.6 grams per tonne for a recovered production near 50,000 ounces. Phase one of the drilling program had already intersected significant high-grade mineralisation, including an instance at one location where 16 meters were recorded at 8.03 grams per tonne gold. The current phase not only targets extensions both along strike and at depth but also incorporates diamond drilling to gather critical geotechnical and metallurgical data. Brightstar Resources Limited emphasizes that these efforts are integral to de-risking the project and exploring additional potential outside of the current resource model. The company is actively running three surface drill rigs at its Laverton, Menzies, and Sandstone operations. At Laverton, diamond drilling continues to test deeper extensions on the Fish deposit; meanwhile, the RC drilling program in Menzies is now in progress and exploration drilling proceeds at the Sandstone Gold Project. Assay results are expected to be shared as they become available. Bullish sentiment is evident in the fast-tracked approach to development, the robust historical and current resource base, and the potential to unlock extensions that could further enhance the project’s economic viability. The combination of RC and diamond drilling is seen as a crucial step towards securing the data needed to underpin both the underground and open pit mining strategies, while recent feasibility studies have demonstrated attractive financial metrics including strong cash flow projections and a high internal rate of return. On the bearish side, inherent risks typical of exploration programs remain. These include uncertainties in extending the resource, variable gold grades upon further drilling, and the usual risks associated with forward-looking statements which might not fully materialise. Investors should note that while the technical indicators are promising, the success of the additional drilling and subsequent development phases will be key to reducing project risks.