Auranova Resources Inc. (TSXV: AURA) has announced the commencement of its 2026 fall Phase 4 diamond drill program at the South Uchi Project in Ontario's Red Lake District, operated in partnership with Kenorland Minerals Ltd. The program will comprise approximately 5,000 metres of drilling focused on the North Papa trend within the Papaonga target area. The announcement is significant for investors as completion of Phase 4 drilling is the milestone that will trigger Auranova's earn-in of a 70% interest in the project, having already spent over C$15 million in qualifying expenditures.

Key Points

  • Auranova Resources Inc. (TSXV: AURA) and partner Kenorland Minerals Ltd. have commenced Phase 4 drilling at South Uchi
  • Approximately 5,000 metres of diamond drilling planned along the North Papa trend at the Papaonga target area
  • Auranova will earn a 70% interest in South Uchi upon completion of Phase 4; over C$15 million in qualifying expenditures already spent
  • Investors will be watching for assay results and the formal vesting of Auranova's 70% project interest

Phase 4 Drilling Targets Broad Gold Zones Confirmed in Earlier Campaigns

The Phase 4 program builds directly on results from Phase 3 drilling, which confirmed significant broad zones of gold mineralisation along the North Papa trend. Key Phase 3 intercepts from hole 26PADD046 included 65.45 metres at 0.34 g/t Au, including 21.00 metres at 0.58 g/t Au. The program will also follow up on higher-grade intervals at the volcanic contact, including 7.70 metres at 1.13 g/t Au and a nearby hole that returned 3.75 metres at 3.65 g/t Au. Phase 4 holes are designed as step-outs along strike and at depth from 26PADD046 to better define the geometry of an approximately 200-metre-wide mineralised corridor.

IP Survey Anomalies and Structural Controls Guide Drill Targeting at Papaonga

In addition to following up on previously mineralised intercepts, Phase 4 drilling will test chargeability and resistivity anomalies identified by an induced polarisation survey completed during summer 2026. The North Papa trend is hosted within a regional east-west trending, belt-parallel deformation zone characterised by gold-mineralised quartz feldspar porphyry. Mineralisation occurs in both felsic and mafic volcanic rocks and is associated with pervasive silica-sericite alteration and disseminated to stringer-style sulphides. Kenorland remains operator of the project, with drilling activities expected to be completed by mid-November.

South Uchi's Red Lake District Setting and Auranova's 70% Earn-In Milestone

The South Uchi Project covers Confederation Assemblage volcanic rocks in a region historically underexplored prior to Kenorland's staking. The project lies along the boundary of the Uchi and English River geological subprovinces, which hosts multiple major east-west striking deformation zones considered favourable for orogenic gold mineralisation. Auranova has now spent over C$15 million in qualifying expenditures and will earn its 70% project interest upon Phase 4 completion, representing a tangible corporate milestone investors may be watching closely as drilling progresses through to mid-November.