Valkea Resources is set to commence its phase one exploration programme at the Paana project, which the company fully owns, in Central Lapland, Finland.

The programme aims to target high-grade gold mineralisation at the Aarnivalkea West discovery, focusing on the extent and structural/lithological controls of the mineralisation.

Exploration will involve drilling up to 2,000m, concentrating on both the southern and northern extents of the Aarnivalkea West discovery.

The initial holes are strategically planned to investigate the structural control and orientations of vein-hosted mineralisation, particularly between and offset from holes FAV62 and FAVD71.

A similar approach will be taken on the northern extent near FAVD64 to explore the spread of disseminated and vein-hosted mineralisation.

The company intends to utilise the structural information gathered from these initial holes, alongside an ongoing core relogging programme, to guide further exploration across the Aarnivalkea West area.

Valkea Resources has contracted GeoPool to oversee the exploration drill programme.

It confirmed that a drill rig is in place and drilling operations are expected to start in the forthcoming weeks. The core-relogging programme is currently in progress, focusing on key historical drill holes and select neighbouring drill holes.

In addition to the exploration activities, Valkea Resources has granted a total of 125,000 options to an advisor and two contractors as part of their compensation.

Valkea CEO Chris Donaldson said: “Since completing the Finnish asset transaction, we have been eager to advance exploration at the Paana Project, building on the promising Arnivalkea West discovery.

“Our initial drill programme at Aarnivalkea West aims to define the extent and structural controls of the high-grade gold mineralisation.

“The updated model will help inform future targeting efforts at Aarnivalkea West and other high-priority targets across the highly prospective Paana project.”