Standout intercept opens Phase 2 underground program
Haranga Resources has opened its Phase 2 underground drill program at the Lincoln Gold Project in California’s Mother Lode Gold Belt with a standout intercept of 32 metres at 10.41 grams per tonne gold from 143 metres downhole in the first hole, DDH0294. The interval contained 13 one-metre samples grading above 10 g/t gold, peaking at 51.4 g/t over one metre from 152 metres. The company reported the intercept as an uphole length rather than a true width, which is yet to be determined.
Potential new scale in the southern Lincoln zone
The hole was drilled from the recently restored XC11 underground development level into a little-tested zone on the southern edge of the existing resource. Haranga says the intersection begins within, and may connect, two lodes previously modelled as separate, thinner mineralised zones — a development that could lift geological confidence ahead of mine planning if confirmed by further drilling. The 16-hole, 1,500-metre program is targeting the southern Lincoln resource and an under-drilled area between the Lincoln and Comet zones. Drilling began on 17 September after dewatering of the underground workings was completed; more than half the planned metres are already drilled and the program is expected to finish in early November 2026.
Resource upgrade path toward a prefeasibility study
Lincoln hosts a mineral resource estimate of 2.46 million tonnes at 5.1 g/t gold for 402,000 ounces, with 77% of the contained gold in the inferred category. The current program aims to lift enough of that inferred inventory to indicated status to support mine planning and a planned prefeasibility study that could underpin future ore reserves. Managing Director Patrick Mutz called the result “a strong start,” saying the program’s priority is improving resource confidence for mine planning and potential ore reserve estimation as part of the planned study. Haranga is also assessing whether its South Spring Hill exploration target can convert to an inferred resource without further drilling, with historical core and pulps now with ALS in Reno and results expected late in 2026.
The project benefits from established infrastructure: restored underground access, a mill circuit that was producing gold as recently as 2022, and a conditional use permit to mine up to 1,000 short tons per day. Following the announcement, Haranga shares reportedly climbed more than 30% to A$0.075.
Advertisement
