Rox Resources (ASX:RXL) said that further underground drilling is expected to extend the mine life at the Youanmi gold project, according to a Friday filing with the Australian bourse.

The company said dewatering is progressing well at the project, and it remains on track to expose the historic main decline by the first quarter of the year, the filing said.

It also expects to produce first gold at the project by mid-2027, the filing added.

Shares of the company rose 8% in recent Friday trade.