First Development Resources plc (AIM: FDR), the UK-based, Australia-focused mineral exploration company, is pleased to announce that site preparation activities have commenced at the Company’s flagship Lander West Gold Target within the Selta Project in Australia’s Northern Territory.

The Company’s field team has mobilised to the Lander West project area and has commenced final site preparation activities ahead of the Company’s maiden Phase I Reverse Circulation (“RC”) drilling programme. The drill rig is expected to arrive on site in the coming days, with drilling anticipated to commence shortly thereafter.

HIGHLIGHTS

·    Site preparation has commenced at the Lander West Gold Target.

·    Drill rig expected to arrive on site in the coming days.

·    All regulatory approvals and statutory requirements now complete.

·    Phase I RC drilling anticipated to commence following rig mobilisation and final site preparations.

Tristan Pottas, Chief Executive Officer of FDR, commented:

“The commencement of site preparation at Lander West represents an important milestone in the advancement of the Selta Project as we prepare for our maiden Phase I RC drilling programme.

Over recent months we have systematically advanced Lander West through geological interpretation, geophysical surveying, geochemical sampling, permitting and drill targeting. With our field team now on site and the drill rig expected to arrive on site in the coming days, we are entering an exciting new phase for the Company.

We now look forward to commencing our maiden drilling programme at Lander West and testing the high-priority gold targets identified through our systematic exploration programme.”

SITE PREPARATION COMMENCES

The Company’s field team, led by recently appointed Exploration Manager Dr David Rawlings, has commenced final site preparation activities (Figure 1), including construction of access tracks, establishment of drill pads and additional geological reconnaissance designed to optimise the initial drilling programme. Dr Rawlings will oversee the execution of the Company’s maiden Phase I RC drilling programme at Lander West, working alongside the Company’s operational team throughout the campaign.

These activities are being undertaken ahead of the planned arrival of the RC drill rig.

The Company expects GeoDrill Australia’s drill rig to arrive at Lander West in the coming days. Drilling is expected to commence following completion of rig mobilisation and final site preparations.

Figure 1: Site preparation activities underway at the Lander West Gold Target ahead of the Company’s maiden Phase I RC drilling programme.

PHASE I RC DRILLING PROGRAMME

The Phase I RC drilling programme will test a series of high-priority gold targets generated through the Company’s integrated geological, geochemical and geophysical exploration programme.

The programme represents the first drill test of several compelling gold targets identified along the prospective Stafford Gold Trend.

The upcoming programme is the culmination of many months of systematic exploration, technical evaluation, permitting and target generation and represents a significant milestone in the advancement of the Company’s flagship Selta Project.

The commencement of site preparation marks the transition from project planning to execution as the Company prepares to undertake its maiden drilling campaign at Lander West.

The Company looks forward to providing shareholders with further updates as mobilisation progresses and drilling commences.

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

First Development Resources plc Tristan Pottas (CEO)	Tel: +44 (0) 20 3778 1397
Beaumont Cornish Limited Nominated Adviser Roland Cornish / Asia Szusciak	Tel: +44 (0) 20 7628 3396
SI Capital Limited Broker Nick Emerson	Tel: +44 (0) 1483 413 500