Ore Resources Lines Up Drilling at Three Gold Projects Ahead of Miriam Resource Debut
Key Takeaways
- Ore Resources targets an initial Miriam Mineral Resource Estimate and Exploration Target later in Q4 CY2026, the step that converts drilling into a formal resource figure.
- About 3,000m of RC drilling restarts in late October at Forrest and Burbanks Monarch, part of a 30,000m Phase 4 program.
- Avoca aircore drilling begins mid-October, backed by a historical 4m @ 14.04 g/t Au intercept that has never been tested at depth by Ore.
- Mt Monger will be Ore's first drilling at Kal East, with a project update flagged for later in October.
- Cash was A$6.8 million with zero debt at 30 June 2026, a dated figure that investors should check against the next quarterly report.
Ore Resources lines up multi-project gold drilling across Coolgardie and Kal East
Ore Resources (ASX: OR3) has commenced several exploration and development activities at its Coolgardie Gold Projects in the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia, with Miriam, Avoca and Mt Monger all in focus. For investors, it signals a busy run of newsflow over the coming months.
The headline activities are:
- Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling recommencing at the Miriam Gold Project in late October 2026
- Aircore (AC) drilling at the Avoca Gold Project from mid-October 2026
- AC drilling at the Mt Monger Gold Project after Avoca
- An initial Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) and Exploration Target (ET) for Miriam, expected later in Q4 CY2026
The company reported a cash balance of A$6.8 million and zero debt (as at 30 June 2026). That date matters, because it is not a current balance.
Nick Rathjen, Managing Director and CEO
“We are excited to outline an active exploration strategy at the Coolgardie Gold Projects with a significant body of work planned over Q4 2026 and into 2027.”
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Miriam drilling targets the next major milestone
3,000m RC programme at Forrest and Burbanks Monarch
The RC programme is part of the ongoing 30,000m Phase 4 drilling program, with drilling intended to recommence in late October 2026. It will comprise approximately 3,000m, including extensional drilling at the Forrest Prospect and follow-up drilling designed to test fresh-rock gold mineralisation at Burbanks Monarch.
The Forrest gold system has already been traced to roughly 1km of strike and 250m of depth, which is the footprint the extensional RC drilling is now designed to build on ahead of the initial resource estimate.
RC drilling uses compressed air to bring rock chips to surface, and it is typically used to test deeper targets. Results are expected to support delivery of the initial MRE and ET for Miriam, which Rathjen described as the “next major milestone for our gold project portfolio.” If the drilling delivers, that is the step that turns exploration results into a formal resource figure.
Permitting and de-risking
Ore has commenced preliminary metallurgical testwork on Forrest drill core to assess whether the mineralisation suits conventional gold processing methods. Spring flora and fauna surveys, plus baseline waste rock characterisation and water studies, are scheduled at Miriam.
These form key components of the environmental approval process and will run concurrently with environmental studies at the Kangaroo Hills Lithium Project.
Following the consolidation of the Miriam tenure package (detailed in an ASX release dated 2 September 2026), first-pass regional RC and AC drilling is scheduled for early 2027. Targets span Devil’s Playground, Burbanks Grand Junction and Bell Bird.
| Miriam workstream | Timing | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| RC drilling at Forrest and Burbanks Monarch | Late October 2026 | Extend the emerging gold system; test fresh-rock mineralisation |
| Initial MRE and ET | Later in Q4 CY2026 (expected) | Define an initial resource and exploration target |
| Metallurgical testwork on Forrest core | Commenced | Assess amenability to conventional gold processing |
| Flora, fauna, waste rock and water studies | Scheduled | Support environmental approval |
| First-pass regional RC and AC drilling | Early 2027 | Test Devil’s Playground, Burbanks Grand Junction and Bell Bird |
Avoca and Mt Monger broaden the regional gold story
Avoca: high-grade historical intercepts, largely untested at depth
Avoca covers 6.7km² along the Kunanalling Shear Zone, which the company describes as highly endowed. Heritage surveys are complete, and Programme of Work (PoW) approvals cover initial AC and future RC drilling.
Ore collected approximately 700 Ultra Fine Fraction (UFF) soil samples using Ultrafine+™, a process co-developed by CSIRO and LabWest. Assay results are expected in early October 2026 and will refine targeting ahead of the maiden AC programme.
The standout historical intercept is 4m @ 14.04 g/t Au from 36m within 44m @ 1.84 g/t Au from 16m (AVRC002). Other historical intercepts include:
- 4m @ 1.49 g/t Au from 41m (AVR244)
- 3m @ 1.68 g/t Au from 30m (AVR284)
- 4m @ 1.47 g/t Au from 28m (AVRC007)
- 3m @ 2.13 g/t Au from 35m (AVR040)
These are historical results, not Ore’s own drilling. They show why the company wants a first systematic test.
Ore’s review defined a mineralised trend extending approximately 300m along strike in the southern portion of the project. It hosts several economic-grade gold intersections yet remains only sparsely drill tested. Mineralisation to date is largely confined to shallow regolith, and the primary fresh rock gold lodes, interpreted to be the source of the oxide mineralisation, remain largely untested.
Mt Monger, Kal East
Drilling is scheduled to commence across both Avoca and Mt Monger from mid-October 2026. Mt Monger, part of the Kal East Gold Projects, will be Ore’s first drilling at Kal East, with a project update flagged for later in October.
What is aircore drilling and why does it matter?
Aircore (AC) drilling is a method used to test the shallow parts of the ground, including the weathered layer known as regolith. It is generally used as a first-pass tool to see whether gold is present near surface before heavier drilling follows.
RC drilling, by contrast, is typically used to test deeper, fresh-rock targets. That is why Ore plans AC at Avoca first, while RC is focused on Miriam’s fresh-rock mineralisation.
Soil geochemistry fits in before either method. The UFF results at Avoca are intended to refine and prioritise targets, so drilling is aimed at the most promising ground.
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Newsflow ahead and funding position
Based on the company’s stated timing, the catalysts to watch are:
- Avoca soil sampling results, expected early October 2026
- AC drilling start at Avoca and Mt Monger, from mid-October 2026
- Kal East Gold Projects update, later October
- RC drilling restart at Miriam, late October 2026
- Initial Miriam MRE and ET, expected later in Q4 CY2026
- First-pass regional drilling at Miriam, early 2027
Rathjen said Ore “remains well funded and well positioned to…” advance Miriam through resource definition, permitting and technical de-risking. Treat the timelines as company targets rather than guarantees, since drilling schedules can shift.
Ready To Learn More About Ore Resources’ Coolgardie Gold Projects?
With RC drilling restarting at Miriam, aircore programmes lining up at Avoca and Mt Monger, and an initial Mineral Resource Estimate targeted for later in Q4 CY2026, Ore Resources (ASX: OR3) has a busy run of newsflow ahead. The company reports A$6.8 million in cash and zero debt as at 30 June 2026.
Investors wanting the full picture can explore the Ore Resources company page on Discovery Alert for the latest updates, project details and announcements.