The intercepts in the Area 1 target area, 15km from the mill, include 10.5m grading 3.55g/t gold in one hole, 90m below a base of till anomaly of 21g/t; and 2m grading 3.4g/t in a second hole, along with broad zones of lower grade gold and copper mineralisation associated with sulphides throughout the length of the hole.

The drilling is part of a reconnaissance drill programme to test coincident base of till and geophysical anomalies in the Area 1 target area along a 20km structural corridor.

CEO James Withall said the new gold discoveries validated Rupert's systematic exploration programme.

"The two headline intercepts are located 800m from each other, along different structures, with mineralisation hosted within a sequence of sulphide-rich metasediments and volcanic rocks, that have not previously been identified from historic geological studies," he said.

"The fact that the mineralisation is hosted by sulphide-rich zones is conducive for using geophysics and possibly suggests potential for better continuity."

Rupert said the Pahtavaara geology team were continuing to add to the existing inventory of drill-ready targets after receiving an updated geophysical interpretation, including data from a new ground gravity survey, which will provide the basis for an expanded follow-up drilling campaign in the area.