Dreadnought Resources (ASX: DRE) has defined multiple strong gold-in-soil anomalies across a 20km strike at High Range within its Mangaroon gold project, located in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia.

The anomalies emerged from recently completed target generation and definition soil surveys, with infill soil results from High Range North and first-pass soil results from High Range Northwest identifying several strong gold-in-soil anomalies and associated pathfinder anomalism. High Range North and Northwest combined represent a 20km by six km camp-scale prospect.

Soil geochemistry is a standard first-pass tool in early-stage gold exploration, particularly where weathered or transported cover conceals bedrock geology. Gold and associated pathfinder elements dispersed into the soil profile can flag prospective ground before any drilling begins, with anomalies typically prioritised for follow-up mapping, surface sampling and eventual drill testing.

"Making a large-scale gold discovery is a key pillar of our 'Finding More Gold Faster Strategy'," Managing Director Dean Tuck told shareholders.

"This target definition program at Mangaroon continues to put runs on the board as we aim to have targets defined for discovery by the end of 2026.

"These infill soil results from High Range North and first pass soil results from High Range Northwest have successfully defined multiple strong gold-in-soil anomalism over 20km strike.

"These anomalies are strongly correlated with major structures interpreted from the magnetics surveys."

Mr Tuck said the work importantly marks the first gold-focused exploration undertaken within the High Range and the first time gold-in-soil anomalies have been observed in this highly prospective belt. Evidence of historical prospecting, together with geological similarities to the original Bangemall goldfield at Cobra, provides further support for gold mineralisation in the area, he said.

The Gascoyne is a frontier exploration region that has historically received far less systematic exploration than Western Australia's established gold provinces such as the Eastern Goldfields. Gold's climb to record prices in recent years has lifted exploration activity across the state, sharpening the search for new discoveries in underexplored belts.

The company is waiting on results of follow-up mapping and surface sampling as it works to confirm the source of the gold anomalism within this highly prospective region at Mangaroon.

The Star of Mangaroon is the only camp-scale prospect currently with a history of gold production and targeted gold exploration. With the camp-scale prospects generated, exploration has now turned to defining drill targets through systematic soil sampling, detailed mapping and lithostructural interpretations at High Range North, High Range Northwest, High Range South, Minga Bar and Bordah.

Next steps include additional detailed surface mapping and sampling to further define and prioritise targets for drilling by the end of 2026 or the start of 2027. Soil sampling is underway, with results expected in July 2026. As with any soil anomaly, soil anomalism is a pointer rather than proof, and the defining milestone ahead is drill testing of the prioritised targets, which will determine whether the High Range anomalies reflect a bedrock source of gold mineralisation.

Shares in DRE rose 7.14% to 1.5¢, giving the company a market capitalisation of $80.15 million.

Source: The Market Online Australia

This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.