Gorilla Gold Mines (ASX:GG8) secured program of work drill permits for its Comet Vale project in Western Australia, enabling the expansion of its exploration program to test new target areas, according to a Thursday filing with the Australian bourse.

Drilling started at Target 1, with plans to test the top five key targets in the first half of the year, the filing said.

Three drill rigs are currently operating at the project, with results expected in the coming weeks, per the filing.

Shares fell 3% in midday trade on Thursday.