Gateway Mining (ASX:GML) began a 44,000-meter air-core drilling program across the Mustang shear zone and the Pony target within the Yandal project in Western Australia, according to a Tuesday filing with the Australian bourse.

The program is designed to identify key mineralized structures within the shear corridor and define the position of the mafic-intermediate contact, with the drill rig set to arrive next week, the filing said.

Results will be used in the planning of an expanded air-core program and refining gold targets for follow-up reverse circulation and diamond drilling, per the filing.

Shares rose 4% in afternoon trade on Tuesday and earlier reached their highest since October 2022.