South Pacific-focused resource group Golden Rim Resources has started drilling at its Sabeto Gold Project in Fiji .

Drilling at Sabeto, located 18km east of Fiji "s capital Nadi, is being conducted 24 hours a day, six days a week, following the company"s completion of a major infrastructure upgrade program, providing all-weather gravel road access to key target areas.

The first phase of the 3000-metre program has been designed to test the convergence of two major structural trends - north-south striking structures, which are northerly extensions of the Upper Ridges lode system of Emperor Gold Mining company's 450,000 ounce Tuvatu prospect, with other north-north-east trending structures.

The first of three holes planned within the initial target area, Central Ridge, has reached a depth of 30 metres. Central Ridge contains the former producing Kingston Mine and several other mine openings and workings. While clearing access tracks in the area, Golden Rim located an additional previously undocumented mine entry, about 30 metres south of the first drill hole.

The company sited this first hole near a dyke-hosted zone of oxidised copper mineralisation from which chip sampling has indicated high-grade copper, gold and silver.

Golden Rim is anticipating drilling up to 20 surface diamond holes in the program which is expected to take three months to complete. Drilling results will be released to the market progressively as and when they are received.

To assist the company in its comprehensive exploration program, Golden Rim has appointed Ashok Kumar as a senior geologist. Ashok Kumar's professional experience includes 25 years with Emperor in both exploration and mining in Fiji .

Golden Rim's exploration Director, Craig Mackay, welcomed Ashok Kumar's appointment as the company embarked on the first of several major exploration programs planned for 2007.

"Our Sabeto work has not been affected by the recent coup in Fiji and with an experienced team and excellent road access, we are looking forward to completing this substantial test drilling in a highly productive region."

Golden Rim is earning a 75% interest from Mincor Resources NL in the Sabeto Project, which is located 25km from the 10 million ounce Vatukoula gold deposit.