Selta - Environmental (Mining) Licence Granted

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 or contact the following:

First Development Resources plc Tristan Pottas (CEO)	Tel: [phone]
Beaumont Cornish Limited Nominated Adviser Roland Cornish / Asia Szusciak	Tel: [phone]
SI Capital Limited Broker Nick Emerson	Tel: [phone]

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 2,314.4km². 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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