Forgent plc (AIM: FORG), the Australian-focused critical and precious metals explorer, has announced it has submitted a heritage notice to Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) to request clearance for a maiden reverse circulation drilling programme at its 99%-owned Green Rock copper-gold project in Western Australia. The proposed programme comprises approximately 10 RC holes totalling up to 1,200 metres of drilling, targeting high-priority copper mineralisation across three distinct target areas. The move follows encouraging historical drilling results and Forgent's own 2026 surface sampling, which returned selective rock-chip grades of up to 54.5% copper at Ming Bore North. Investors will be watching the heritage clearance outcome as a key gating step before drilling can commence.

Key Points

  • Forgent plc (AIM: FORG) is an Australian-focused critical and precious metals exploration company
  • A heritage notice has been lodged with YMAC ahead of a proposed maiden 10-hole RC drilling programme at the Green Rock copper-gold project in Western Australia
  • The programme targets approximately 1,200 metres of drilling across East, Central and North target areas, with holes planned to a maximum depth of 120 metres
  • Investors should watch for YMAC's heritage clearance decision and confirmation of regulatory approvals and funding, which are required before drilling can proceed

YMAC Heritage Notice Triggers Clearance Process for Green Rock Drilling

Forgent has submitted a formal heritage notice to Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation, setting out the proposed work programme it wishes to undertake at Green Rock, located in the Ashburton Mineral Field of the southern Pilbara region of Western Australia. YMAC will now assess whether a full heritage survey is required prior to any drilling activity. The company has stated that final collar locations and site accessibility will also be confirmed through this process, and that alternative drill positions may be required where access constraints are identified. No timeline for YMAC's determination was disclosed in the announcement.

Historical Drilling and 2026 Rock-Chip Sampling Underpin Three-Area Target Programme

The proposed drill programme has been designed following interpretation of historical exploration data, including historical results of 1 metre at 14.1% copper with gold to 1.1 g/t at Green Rock, and Forgent's own 2026 surface sampling programme. That sampling returned selective rock-chip results of up to 54.5% copper and gold to 1.47 g/t Au at Ming Bore North, with follow-up sampling assaying up to 29.4% copper and 4.8 g/t gold. The company notes that rock-chip results are selective in nature and may not be representative of mineralisation across the project. No modern systematic drilling has previously been completed at Green Rock, which covers approximately 31.5 square kilometres and hosts five identified copper-gold prospects.

East, Central and North Targets Prioritised Across the 1,200-Metre RC Programme

The initial programme allocates four RC holes to the East target, where multiple parallel mineralised lodes are interpreted to extend over approximately 200 metres of strike. Five holes are planned at the Central target, angled to test at least two parallel lodes while minimising earthworks requirements. A single RC hole is proposed at the North target to test interpreted mineralised structure at depth, with at least two prospective lodes also identified there. Based on historical drilling in the nearby Minga area, mineralised lodes are currently interpreted to dip approximately 80 degrees to the north, informing drill hole orientation across all three areas.

Regulatory, Access and Funding Conditions Remain Outstanding Before Drilling Begins

Forgent has confirmed that progression to the RC programme remains subject to completion of heritage clearance, confirmation of access to proposed drill locations, receipt of all other required regulatory approvals, and satisfaction of funding requirements. The company has not disclosed the anticipated cost of the drilling programme or the expected timeline for meeting these conditions. Forgent's broader portfolio includes the Peak Hill advanced gold-copper exploration project and an option over the Mount Sholl nickel-copper-PGE project, which carries a JORC-compliant resource. The company stated that further announcements will be made as the heritage and drilling programme advances.