Selta: Operational Preparations Ahead of Drilling

First Development Resources PLC

14 May 2026

 

14 May 2026

First Development Resources plc

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

Selta Project: Operational Preparations Ahead of Drilling

Operational Preparations Advance Ahead of Maiden RC Drilling at Lander West Gold Target

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 provide an update on preparations ahead of the commencement of the Company's fully funded maiden Phase I Reverse Circulation ("RC") drilling programme at the Lander West gold ("Au") target, part of its 100%-owned Selta Project located in the Northern Territory, Australia.

The drilling programme is designed to test recently defined high-priority Au targets identified through the Company's integrated geological, geophysical and geochemical interpretation programmes along the prospective Stafford Gold Trend.

HIGHLIGHTS

·    Operational preparations advancing ahead of fully funded maiden Phase I RC drilling programme at the high-priority Lander West Au target planned for later this year

·   Alice Springs-based Transport, Maintenance & Engineering Pty Ltd ("TMAE") appointed as preferred earthworks contractor for access and drill pad establishment ahead of mobilisation

·    Pre-mobilisation site visit commencing next week to review priority drill locations and finalise field logistics ahead of drilling

·    All key regulatory approvals secured with mobilisation planning and drilling preparations continuing ahead of commencement later this year

Tristan Pottas, Chief Executive Officer of FDR, commented:

"The commencement of pre-mobilisation activities represents another important milestone as we advance towards maiden drilling at Lander West. Following the recent refinement of multiple high-priority drill targets, the Company is now transitioning from exploration planning into operational execution ahead of drilling.

"The recent completion of integrated geophysical interpretation has significantly enhanced our understanding of the mineralised structural architecture at Lander West and strengthened confidence in the upcoming maiden drilling programme. Importantly, the Company is fully funded to complete the Phase I RC drilling programme at Lander West.

"The appointment of TMAE provides the Company with an experienced Alice Springs-based contractor familiar with operating in remote Central Australian environments. Combined with the recent appointment of GeoDrill Australia as drilling contractor, we now have key operational partners in place as preparations continue to advance.

"The upcoming site visit will allow us to engage directly with stakeholders, review planned drill locations and finalise preparations ahead of mobilisation later this year. We look forward to providing further updates as activities continue to progress."

PRE-MOBILISATION SITE VISIT

The pre-mobilisation site visit commencing next week forms part of the Company's broader field planning and mobilisation programme ahead of commencement of drilling activities at Lander West.

The visit will focus on reconnaissance of existing access routes to the Lander West work area, inspection of proposed drillhole collar locations and review of planned infrastructure corridors ahead of mobilisation of the earthworks contractor. The programme is intended to ensure all field activities are appropriately planned and executed in accordance with approved environmental and operational management frameworks.

All earthworks associated with the drilling programme, including access preparation, drill pad establishment and associated infrastructure, will be undertaken in accordance with the conditions of the Company's granted Environmental Mining Licence ("EML") and certified Risk Management Plan ("RMP").

During the visit, Company representatives will also engage with key stakeholders, including pastoral leaseholders, consultants and representatives of the Northern Territory Government, as preparations continue for commencement of drilling operations later in the year.

In addition, the Company expects to meet with representatives of GeoDrill Australia Pty Ltd ("GeoDrill"), recently appointed as drilling contractor for the Phase I RC drilling programme at Lander West. GeoDrill is currently undertaking drilling activities along the Stafford Gold Trend on neighbouring ground, providing an opportunity to coordinate mobilisation planning and operational activities ahead of commencement of drilling.

APPOINTMENT OF EARTHWORKS CONTRACTOR

The Company is also pleased to announce the appointment of Transport, Maintenance & Engineering Pty Ltd ("TMAE") as preferred earthworks contractor for the establishment of access and drilling infrastructure at Lander West.

TMAE is an Alice Springs, Northern Territory-based contractor providing heavy equipment maintenance, earthmoving support, mobile mechanical services and remote field operations support across Central Australia. The company has extensive experience operating in remote and logistically challenging environments and supports a range of mining, civil construction, transport and earthmoving operations throughout the Northern Territory.

The Company selected TMAE based on its regional operational capability, local knowledge, remote-area logistics experience and ability to provide responsive field support during exploration activities in Central Australia. The appointment of an experienced locally based contractor is expected to support efficient and cost-effective programme execution during site establishment and drilling preparation activities.

Representatives from FDR and TMAE are expected to meet during the site visit to finalise preparations for establishment of approved access tracks, drill pads and associated infrastructure ahead of drilling mobilisation.

The Company expects to provide further updates as site preparation activities progress towards commencement of drilling operations later this year.

For further information visit www.firstdevelopmentresources.com or contact the following:

First Development Resources plc Tristan Pottas (CEO)

Tel: [phone]

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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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