Why is the 4,400-metre infill drilling phase important for Austral Gold (ASX:AGD) investors?

The infill drilling phase serves as the primary objective of the entire programme, targeting resource conversion across Q2 and Q3 2026.

What is management's strategic goal for the Casposo–Manantiales drilling programme?

CEO Stabro Kasaneva stated that the programme represents a crucial step in advancing the Casposo–Manantiales district. Management is looking to upgrade existing asset classifications while simultaneously testing newly identified regional targets to support future updates to the company’s official mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates.

What are the brownfield and greenfield targets in Austral Gold's (ASX:AGD) campaign?

The 1,100-metre brownfield phase targets existing resources and infrastructure-adjacent areas at Manantiales, Julieta, and Casposo Norte during Q2 and Q3 2026. The 3,000-metre greenfield phase will test newer regional exploration targets at Cerro Amarillo in the Manantiales district during Q3 and Q4 2026.

What risk or dependency could delay Austral Gold's greenfield exploration phase?

The 3,000-metre greenfield drilling component at Cerro Amarillo is explicitly pending the final interpretation of ongoing geophysical surveys. If the data from these surveys is delayed or yields inconclusive results, it could push back the slated Q3 and Q4 2026 timeline for this high-upside portion of the campaign.

What was Austral Gold's (ASX:AGD) share price when the drilling news was reported?

At the time of reporting, Austral Gold’s share price was trading at $0.14. Movements in the share price going forward will likely heavily correlate with the success or failure of the drill assay results published throughout 2026.

Image for illustrative purposes only. Not a real photo.

Austral Gold begins 8,500m Argentina drilling programme

Q: What did Austral Gold (ASX:AGD) recently announce regarding its operations in Argentina?

Austral Gold announced the commencement of an extensive 8,500-metre drilling programme at its Casposo–Manantiales mine complex in San Juan, Argentina.

Written by Brie CarterPublished May. 18 2026Last Updated May. 18 2026

Gold producer Austral Gold (ASX:AGD) commenced an extensive 8,500-metre drilling programme at its Casposo–Manantiales mine complex in San Juan, Argentina.

The campaign is structured into three key phases: infill drilling for resource conversion, near-mine brownfield exploration, and regional greenfield exploration.

The primary objective of the programme is resource conversion, which will utilise 4,400m of infill drilling scheduled across Q2 and Q3 2026.

The phase aims to significantly improve geological confidence and continuity, supporting the potential reclassification of inferred mineral resources to indicated mineral resources under NI 43-101 and JORC Code (2012) guidelines.

A 1,100-metre brownfield drilling phase will target existing mineral resources and infrastructure-adjacent areas at Manantiales, Julieta, and Casposo Norte during the same period.

The final component involves 3,000m of greenfield exploration at Cerro Amarillo in the Manantiales district, slated for Q3 and Q4 2026, pending the interpretation of ongoing geophysical surveys.

Austral Gold’s CEO, Stabro Kasaneva, highlighted the significance of the project, stating that the commencement of this 8,500-metre drilling programme represents an important step in the ongoing advancement of the Casposo–Manantiales district.

Kasaneva emphasised that the parallel Cerro Amarillo programme will rigorously test a series of newly identified regional exploration targets defined by recent geological mapping and surveys, ultimately aiming to support future mineral resource and mineral reserve updates for the company.

At the time of reporting, Austral Gold’s share price was $0.14.