Encounter Resources (ASX:ENR) will conduct this year's exploration program at the Jessica project in the Northern Territory to test multiple electromagnetic targets and a coincident induced polarization anomaly, and map conductive units and major faults along a regional seismic line, according to a Wednesday filing with the Australian bourse.

The program, which will be conducted under a farm-in agreement with a South32 (ASX:S32) subsidiary, includes 4,000 meters of reverse circulation drilling, 2,000 meters of diamond drilling program, and a regional magnetotelluric geophysical survey, the filing said.

Final design of the drilling programs is anticipated to be completed in the first quarter of the year, per the filing.

Encounter Resources shares fell nearly 6% in midday trade Wednesday, while South32 shares were up nearly 1%.