Rox Resources Hits 13.6g/t Gold as Drilling Confirms 2027 Production Timeline
Rox Resources drilling delivers high-grade gold results at Youanmi
Rox Resources has released high-grade drilling results from multiple areas at its 100%-owned Youanmi Gold Mine in Western Australia. The company has targeted its first gold pour by mid-2027 and is advancing a dual strategy: de-risking the mine plan while unlocking growth potential beyond the current life-of-mine. The Youanmi project hosts a global mineral resource of 12.1Mt @ 5.6g/t Au for 2.2Moz of gold, located approximately 480km northeast of Perth.
The latest assay results demonstrate progress toward production readiness while simultaneously identifying opportunities to extend mine life and utilise the latent capacity built into the processing plant design.
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United North underground drilling confirms high-grade mineralisation
Diamond drilling commenced in June at United North, with 12 holes for 1,716m completed to the end of June. The primary objective is to ensure 12 months of drilling remains ahead of mining by mid-CY2027, reducing ore delivery risk and increasing operational certainty. Sulphide-rich shear zones were observed in all drill holes, with initial assays confirming the potential to expand the upper levels of the United North mine beyond the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) mine plan.
The standout intercept from initial assays is 4.60m @ 9.60g/t Au from 131.58m, including 3.00m @ 13.62g/t Au from 132m (UNN26004). An additional intercept of 6.45m @ 1.82g/t Au from 105.10m to 111.55m was returned from UNN26003.
Key drilling outcomes:
- 12 holes completed for 1,716m
- Host shear zones observed in all holes
- Face sample grades aligning with Mineral Resource model
- Results confirm potential to expand upper levels beyond DFS mine plan
Ore drive development has continued on the 2341mRL and 2356mRL levels, with face sampling from the 2341mRL level matching DFS grades. Assays from the 2356mRL level are pending, where the mapped host shear zone correlates well with that observed on the 2341mRL.
Interceptor lode drilling returns exceptional grades
Resource definition drilling at Interceptor, located approximately 100m west of and parallel to the Main-Prospect lode trend, has been completed. Results confirm the mine plan and demonstrate the potential to extend mineralisation along strike and down dip.
| Hole ID | From (m) | Interval | Grade | Including |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RXRC653 | 103 | 2.00m | 12.48g/t Au | 1.00m @ 21.30g/t Au |
| RXRC657 | 109 | 2.00m | 13.57g/t Au | 1.00m @ 25.40g/t Au |
| RXRC661 | 131 | 5.00m | 6.59g/t Au | 1.00m @ 25.00g/t Au |
| RXRC660 | 111 | 1.00m | 5.67g/t Au | — |
Work will progress during H2 CY2026 to update the Youanmi mineral resource in this area and target it with follow-up diamond drilling from underground.
What does high-grade gold drilling mean for investors?
High-grade drilling results carry direct implications for the economics of a gold mine. Grade, measured in grams per tonne (g/t), determines how much gold is extracted per tonne of ore processed. Higher grades translate to more ounces of gold recovered from the same volume of rock, improving project margins and reducing the amount of ore that must be mined to achieve a given production target.
There is an important distinction between infill drilling and exploration drilling. Infill drilling confirms known resources by filling gaps in the drill pattern, which increases confidence in grade estimates and reduces project risk. Exploration drilling, by contrast, targets new areas to discover additional resources and extend mine life.
In the Youanmi context, the results released achieve both objectives. Infill drilling at United North and Interceptor confirms the existing mine plan, strengthening confidence ahead of production. At the same time, the results identify expansion opportunities that could extend mining operations beyond the current life-of-mine and utilise the latent capacity designed into the processing plant.
Commonwealth drilling establishes near-mine expansion potential
Commonwealth is located approximately 4km northwest of Youanmi Main. The resource definition drill programme is complete with all assays received. Results define a clear southwest plunge direction to mineralisation, with multiple significant intervals returned.
The standout intercept is 7.00m @ 9.68g/t Au from 94m, including 2.00m @ 26.50g/t Au from 94m (RXRC602). Additional intercepts include:
- 7.00m @ 3.21g/t Au from 75m (RXRC630)
- 7.00m @ 2.03g/t Au from 92m (RXRC631)
- 3.00m @ 5.34g/t Au from 110m, including 1.00m @ 13.40g/t Au (RXRC665)
- 2.00m @ 5.48g/t Au from 45m, including 1.00m @ 9.92g/t Au (RXRC668)
Work will progress during H2 CY2026 to update the Commonwealth mineral resource and complement the recent RC drilling with diamond core drilling for structural assessment. The aim is to guide future exploration targeting and, if applicable, provide a bulk sample for preliminary metallurgical test work.
Commonwealth offers an additional ore source close to the Youanmi processing infrastructure, potentially feeding the plant’s latent capacity once production commences.
Youanmi Deeps and regional exploration expand growth pipeline
Youanmi Deeps drilling to commence Q3 CY2026
Exploration and resource development has now turned to United North Deeps, with drilling scheduled to commence in Q3 CY2026. Initial targeting will focus on inferred mineral resources at United North, then down-plunge extensions of both United North and Youanmi Main/North.
New structural target identified 20km south of Youanmi
Interpretation of detailed aeromagnetic survey data has identified a previously unexplored target area. The target is a structural analogue to the Youanmi mine, located within 20km of the processing plant. Reconnaissance and mapping are planned for H2 CY2026 to refine targets before initial drill programmes.
The Youanmi Deeps programme could extend mining operations beyond the current life-of-mine, while regional targets highlight the underexplored nature of the district. Both represent longer-term growth opportunities that could materially increase the resource base and mine life.
Management perspective
Phill Wilding, Managing Director & CEO
“At Rox, our mandate is clear, bring the Youanmi Gold Mine into production and pour first gold by mid-2027 which we remain on track for. Simultaneously, we are also focused on de-risking the mine plan and unlocking further growth, including opportunities to use the latent capacity in the processing plant design.”
“… This is a highly under-explored region, and Rox is determined to develop it into a long-life production centre.”
Management commentary reinforces the dual strategy of near-term production and longer-term growth. The company is advancing on multiple fronts: confirming the mine plan through infill drilling, while building a pipeline of expansion opportunities that extend beyond the current resource base.
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Investment outlook for Rox Resources
The latest drilling results from Youanmi demonstrate material progress across multiple objectives:
- United North infill drilling confirms the mine plan and reduces execution risk ahead of production
- Interceptor results establish expansion potential parallel to the main lode
- Commonwealth drilling confirms near-mine optionality close to processing infrastructure
- Youanmi Deeps and regional targets offer longer-term growth beyond the current life-of-mine
The company has reiterated its production timeline, with first gold pour targeted for mid-2027. The strategic positioning is clear: a high-grade, high-margin development project with a defined pathway to production, supported by a resource base that offers both near-term certainty and longer-term expansion potential.
Key metrics:
- Global resource: 2.2Moz gold
- First gold target: mid-2027
- Youanmi Deeps drilling: Q3 CY2026
- Commonwealth and regional work: H2 CY2026
Rox Resources is advancing on multiple fronts — confirming the near-term mine plan while building a pipeline of growth opportunities that could extend mine life and utilise the latent capacity designed into the processing plant. The combination of near-term production visibility and longer-term exploration upside positions the company to deliver value across multiple timeframes.
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