中文译文生成中，先为你显示原文。
Rox Resources has intersected high-grade gold beneath the existing mineral resource at its Youanmi gold mine in Western Australia, strengthening the potential for further resource growth and mine-life extensions.
The first results from Rox’s resource conversion and growth drilling program returned 4.87m at 15.13 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 584.13m at the United North deposit, including 1.78m at 32.98g/t gold.
The intersection confirmed mineralisation approximately 25m below the existing resource boundary and 50m below the deepest drill intercept within the resource, with the main and hanging-wall lodes continuing down plunge.
Rox managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) Phill Wilding said the results supported the company’s geological interpretation.
“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 campaign also returned 3.16m at 3.78g/t gold from 448.2m within an inferred resource area, supporting mineralisation continuity and efforts to convert material into the higher-confidence indicated category.
The company completed six surface diamond holes across United North in September and October, with assays from the remaining four holes expected before the end of 2026.
The results follow Rox’s commencement of a resource growth drilling campaign in September, targeting deeper extensions of the United North ore system and opportunities to expand its existing resource.
“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 annum operation,” Wilding said.
Youanmi currently hosts a mineral resource of 12.4 million tonnes (Mt) grading 5.5g/t gold for approximately 2.2 million ounces.
The company also recently increased its ore reserve by eight per cent to 727,000 ounces in September, strengthening its development pipeline ahead of planned first gold production in mid-2027.
Meanwhile, development activities continue across the underground mine and processing infrastructure.
Rox has also progressed production preparations at United North while construction of its one-million-tonne-per-annum processing plant reached 39 per cent completion in October.
The company secured $350 million in debt facilities to support the project’s development, including an initial $90.2 million drawdown.
With further drilling continuing into early 2027, Rox said it will use the results to refine its geological model and assess additional production opportunities.
“Returning grades of this tenor in the first step-out hole is particularly encouraging and reinforces the potential we see at depth,” Wilding said.
“Should subsequent drilling continue to support our geological interpretation, we will commence evaluating opportunities to increase production rates and further extend the mine life.”
Subscribe to Australian Mining and receive the latest news on product announcements, industry developments, commodities and more.