REG - First Dev. Resources - Selta - Environmental (Mining) Licence Granted

First Development ResourcesAnnouncement

20/04/2026 07:00

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RNS Number : 9998A  First Development Resources PLC  20 April 2026

 

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20 April 2026

First Development Resources plc

('First Development", "FDR" or the "Company')

Environmental (Mining) Licence Granted - Lander West Gold Target, Selta
Project

First Development Resources plc (AIM: FDR), the UK-based, Australia-focused
exploration company with mineral interests in the Northern Territory and
Western Australia, is pleased to announce that it has been granted an
Environmental (Mining) Licence ("EML") by the Northern Territory Government
Department of Lands, Planning and Environment ("DLPE").

The grant of the EML is a significant operational milestone, enabling FDR to
transition from surface exploration to drilling at the high-priority Lander
West Gold Target, located within the Stafford Gold Trend at the Company's
wholly owned Selta Project in Australia's Northern Territory.

 

Tristan Pottas, Chief Executive Officer of FDR, commented:

"Securing the Environmental (Mining) Licence is a pivotal achievement for the
Company and allows us to move immediately from target generation to drill
testing at Lander West.

Following a disciplined and methodical exploration programme, we have
developed a strong pipeline of priority drill targets. We are now focused on
executing an RC drilling campaign later this year to test these compelling
gold opportunities along the Stafford Gold Trend, where ongoing exploration by
other operators continues to deliver encouraging results.

We believe this next phase has the potential to deliver significant value for
shareholders."

 

ENVIRONMENTAL (MINING) LICENCE APPROVAL

The grant of the EML allows the Company to undertake on-ground exploration
activities under an approved DLPE Mining Management Plan and marks a clear
pathway to drilling.

FDR is now advancing plans for a targeted reverse circulation ("RC") drilling
programme at the highly prospective Lander West Gold Target, with planning and
preparatory work already underway.

The approved mining activities under FDR's EML include:

·    40 RC drill holes, drill pads and sumps

·    Tracks of a maximum 3m width, totalling 13.5km

·    Total surface disturbance of 6.45 hectares

 

ADVANCING TO DRILLING PHASE

FDR has completed multiple phases of systematic exploration across Lander
West, including:

·    In-depth desktop geological studies

·    Aeromagnetic and radiometric surveys

·    Gradient Array Induced Polarisation ("GAIP") survey

The integration of these datasets has refined the Company's geological model
and strengthened its understanding of structural controls on mineralisation,
resulting in the definition of several priority drill targets along the
prospective Stafford Gold Trend.

RC drilling represents the most decisive stage of this exploration strategy,
providing direct testing for gold mineralisation.

NEXT STEPS

FDR is progressing operational planning, contractor engagement and site
logistics in preparation for the planned RC drilling programme.

Following payment of the environmental security bond, the Company expects to
receive formal notice to commence activities from the Northern Territory
Government within approximately five business days.

Drilling is targeted to begin later this year, with the programme designed to
test the most prospective zones at Lander West and deliver the first
subsurface data from these targets.

Further updates will be provided as preparations advance and drilling
activities commence.

 

For further information visit www.firstdevelopmentresources.com
(http://www.firstdevelopmentresources.com) or contact the following:

 First Development Resources plc  Tel: +44 (0) 20 3778 1397

 Tristan Pottas (CEO)
 Beaumont Cornish Limited         Tel: +44 (0) 20 7628 3396

 Nominated Adviser

 Roland Cornish / Asia Szusciak
 SI Capital Limited               Tel: +44 (0) 1483 413 500

 Broker

 Nick Emerson

Beaumont Cornish Limited ("Beaumont Cornish") is the Company's Nominated
Adviser and is authorised and regulated by the FCA. Beaumont Cornish's
responsibilities as the Company's Nominated Adviser, including a
responsibility to advise and guide the Company on its responsibilities under
the AIM Rules for Companies and AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers, are owed
solely to the London Stock Exchange. Beaumont Cornish is not acting for and
will not be responsible to any other persons for providing protections
afforded to customers of Beaumont Cornish nor for advising them in relation to
the proposed arrangements described in this announcement or any matter
referred to in it.

 

ABOUT FIRST DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES

First Development Resources' assets comprise eight granted tenements covering
a total area of 2,314.4km(2). Five of the tenements, comprising three
prospective copper-gold projects, are located in Western Australia (WA) while
the remaining three tenements, comprising a rare-earth element (REE), uranium,
lithium and gold project, are located in the Australian's Northern Territory.
All tenements are wholly owned by FDR. The assets are a mixture of drill ready
and earlier stage exploration.

The WA Projects include the Company's Wallal Project as well as Ripon Hills
and Braeside West Projects situated in the Paterson Province, which is widely
regarded as one of the most productive regions in Australia for the discovery
of world-class gold-copper deposits, and which is home to several world-class
mines and more recent discoveries.

The Selta Project in the Northern Territory is located in an area considered
highly prospective for uranium and rare-earth element mineralisation along
with base and precious metal mineralisation. Numerous companies are actively
exploring within the region.

Beyond the existing portfolio, FDR is actively looking to expand its portfolio
through the acquisition of early-stage exploration projects in Australia.

SELTA PROJECT INDICATIVE OPERATIONAL TIMELINE

Indicative operational milestones for exploration activities at the Selta
Project. Schedule subject to change.

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