en.Wedoany.com Reported - Australian gold developer Brightstar Resources (ASX:BTR) announced an updated interim mineral resource estimate for its Sandstone gold project in Western Australia. As of the update, the project's total resource stands at 69.3 million tonnes at a grade of 1.3 g/t gold, containing 2.9 million ounces of gold.

This update increases the total resource at the Sandstone project by 18% compared to the previous estimate, with measured and indicated resources rising by 113% to 1.1 million ounces at a grade of 1.5 g/t gold. Brightstar Group's total mineral resource estimate now stands at 4.5 million ounces at a grade of 1.4 g/t gold, with 100 million tonnes of ore, representing a tenfold increase in group resources over 3.5 years.

Managing Director Alex Rovira said this is the company's first resource growth update for the Sandstone project, with results exceeding expectations. He noted that significant drilling has been completed at the project, and this interim update reflects the related progress. The current focus is on improving resource quality ahead of the pre-feasibility study and mining development, stating that this higher level of confidence is critical for delivering the pre-feasibility study. The company is targeting further resource increases in subsequent estimates, with drilling underway at key deposits including Bull Oak, Indomitable, and Two Mile Hill-Shillington.

This interim estimate incorporates approximately 60% of the 146,000-meter drilling program completed in 2025 and 2026, marking the first application of Brightstar's geological interpretation and estimation parameters to these deposits. By deposit, Bull Oak resources increased 258% to 322,000 ounces at a grade of 1.0 g/t gold; Achilles increased 126% to 224,000 ounces at a grade of 1.1 g/t gold; and the Indomitable deposit increased 24% to 366,000 ounces at a grade of 1.0 g/t gold.

Current drilling at the Sandstone project is focused on infill drilling programs at key deposits with inferred resources exceeding 1 million ounces, including Two Mile Hill-Shillington (541,000 ounces), Indomitable (284,000 ounces), and Bull Oak (278,000 ounces).

Brightstar expects to release a second mineral resource estimate update in the fourth quarter of 2026, alongside the pre-feasibility study, initial ore reserves, and other growth-oriented exploration plans. Brightstar Resources is a gold producer and developer with assets located in Western Australia.