Royalco Resources has received National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) certification to progress the Pao gold and copper prospect in the Philippines.

Roadworks to the site have been completed and development of a suitable exploration camp is being finalized for what is anticipated to be a two year drilling programme on numerous epithermal gold and porphyry copper targets within the district.

Initial drilling will focus on the Manidyo prospect for copper porphyry and epithermal gold veins. A sample of a vein in this area previously recorded 49.42 grams/tonne gold, 348 grams/tonne silver and 3.94% copper.

Meanwhile a revised application has been lodged on the Gambang tenement to comply with recent amendments to NCIP guidelines. Adopting this fresh course of action will assist in minimizing any potential disruption in the future by providing greater access to the entire tenement area.

Extensive geochemical sampling has been completed at Surigao on the Hanagdong prospect, an advanced porphyry copper target. The sampling has also recently identified gold anomalism on the southern side of this prospect. A review of data is proceeding with a view to selecting appropriate drill targets prior to the end of this calendar year.

At Malangza, rock chip sampling has started and will shortly be followed by systematic soil sampling. Subject to rig availability, the initial drilling campaign will be undertaken towards the end of the year.