Premier1 Commences Discovery Drilling in Prime Western Australian Gold Territory
Premier1 has officially launched a significant drilling campaign at its Mt Kersey gold prospect, located within the highly productive Yalgoo greenstone belt in Western Australia. This initiative marks a pivotal step for the company, as it targets one of the few remaining gold-rich areas in the region that has seen minimal exploration activity to date.
Extensive Drilling Program Underway
The company has embarked on a 3,700-meter reverse circulation (RC) drilling program, focusing on a large-scale hydrothermal system situated east of its existing Wadgingarra starter resource. This expedited effort follows Premier1's recent full acquisition of the Yalgoo gold project, which encompasses 266 square kilometers of prime gold-bearing land in a district dominated by major mining producers.
The cost-effective drilling operation is now zeroing in on a preserved hydrothermal system that stretches over one kilometer in length. This system has largely avoided meaningful drilling until now, presenting a unique opportunity for discovery. Premier1 aims to quickly add ounces to the region, leveraging its high-grade Yalgoo project, which currently hosts a 13,000-ounce starter resource grading 2.7 grams per tonne (g/t) gold at Wadgingarra.
Targeting Multiple Prospects and Geological Anomalies
In addition to the Mt Kersey prospect, the drilling rigs will also target several other promising sites on the opposite flank of the greenstone belt. These areas will test the hanging wall of a major inverse fault, where an enticing surface gold footprint has been identified. The geological anomaly in this region exhibits clear zoning, with deeper, hotter molybdenum in the south transitioning through bismuth-tellurium and tungsten zones to cooler, shallower arsenic-dominant sections in the north.
Such an intact hydrothermal system is rare in the Yilgarn region, significantly enhancing the appeal of these targets. High-grade rock chip samples from the area have already yielded impressive results, including assays up to 26.4g/t gold, suggesting the potential for high-grade mineralisation at depth.
Strategic Drilling and Financial Support
Premier1 plans to drill 15 holes, averaging 250 meters in depth, to chase structural and geochemical sweet spots. Historical work in the area was often limited to shallow depths of around 50 meters, either missing core targets or focusing elsewhere, leaving the main hydrothermal footprint largely unexplored. The current program benefits from substantial financial support, including a non-dilutive co-contribution of up to $180,000 from the Western Australian government and a $176,000 credit with contractor Strike Drilling.
The drilling is expected to be completed in approximately two weeks, with assay results anticipated by the end of the quarter. This milestone is particularly significant for Premier1, following its recent 100% acquisition of the Yalgoo Gold Project, which provides full exposure to the discovery potential at Mt Kersey and other targets across the project area.
Regional Context and Future Prospects
The Yalgoo-Singleton greenstone belt, where the project is located, is sandwiched between major producers Ramelius Resources to the north and Capricorn Metals to the south. This belt is renowned for its high-grade orogenic gold and base metals potential, lying along strike from established operations like the Golden Grove metals mine and newer discoveries such as Capricorn's Golden Range gold-antimony project and the ultra-high-grade Deflector mine.
Premier1's Wadgingarra prospect serves as the anchor for its Yalgoo holdings, featuring a 13,000-ounce near-surface resource that remains open along strike and at depth. Despite limited modern drilling, recent reverse circulation work in early 2025 delivered strong results, including bonanza hits such as 3 meters at 31.5g/t gold at Crescent and 10 meters at 3.1g/t gold at Carlisle.
Additionally, Premier1 holds the Abbotts North gold project further east in the Meekatharra-Murchison greenstone belt, with the Rochefort prospect showing a 350-meter-by-350-meter gold anomaly over dolerite. Heritage clearances are advancing for planned aircore and ultrafine soil programs later this year.
Momentum and Market Position
With a recent $650,000 capital raise, combined with drilling credits, Premier1 is well-positioned to fuel its 2026 work programs. The company's focus on shallow high-grade mineralisation at Wadgingarra, walk-up drilling at Mt Kersey, and nearby processing options is gaining traction. As major players consolidate domains north and south of both projects, Premier1's growing resources could soon enhance the area's standing in the mining industry.
Currently, the explorer, with a market capitalisation of approximately $10 million, is poised for a fresh round of drilling and the real prospect of a discovery before the first quarter concludes. This drilling campaign represents a critical juncture in Premier1's strategy to unlock the untapped potential of Western Australia's gold-rich landscapes.
