FDR Refines Selta Rare-Earth Targets Following High-Grade Stream Sampling

First Development Resources (LSE:FDR) has announced positive results from a December 2025 stream sediment sampling programme at its Selta rare-earths project in Australia’s Northern Territory. The low-cost, first-pass campaign concentrated on the West Nintabrinna and Ingallan prospects, aiming to sharpen previously identified rare-earth and lithium anomalies and prioritise drill-ready zones.

At West Nintabrinna, assays delivered values of up to 2,103 ppm total rare-earth elements plus yttrium (TREE+Y), outlining a coherent target dubbed “Tourmaline.” The results have reduced the prospective footprint from roughly 75 square kilometres to just 5 square kilometres, materially enhancing targeting accuracy and improving cost efficiency for follow-up work.

At Ingallan, peak assays of 385 ppm TREE+Y defined the “Peake Bore” target, cutting the search area from approximately 90 square kilometres to 8.5 square kilometres. Field observations of pale-weathered outcrops and proximity to favourable granite bodies point toward potential pegmatite-hosted rare-earth and lithium mineralisation.

Geochemical analysis across both areas indicates evolved, fractionated granitic systems with localised enrichment in incompatible elements. This pattern supports the interpretation of discrete intrusive or pegmatitic sources, rather than broad background dispersion, strengthening the geological case for focused exploration.

FDR intends to progress with detailed geological mapping, rock-chip sampling, targeted geochemical surveys and evaluation of high-resolution geophysics to further refine drill targets at Tourmaline and Peake Bore. Rare-earth exploration at Selta remains a core strategic focus, complemented by ongoing geophysical work at the Lander West gold target. Together, these programmes position the company to potentially advance its critical minerals portfolio as it moves closer to drilling.

More about First Development Resources Plc

First Development Resources Plc is a UK-based, AIM-listed mineral exploration company focused on Australia, with projects in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. The company is targeting rare-earth elements, lithium and gold, with its flagship Selta Project located in the Aileron Province — a Proterozoic terrane recognised for evolved granitic systems and rare-metal mineralisation.