Spartan Resources (ASX:SPR) started its drill campaign, targeting resource growth and converting Inferred resources to Indicated at the Dalgaranga gold project in Western Australia, according to a Thursday filing with the Australian bourse.

Surface drilling is underway with two rigs, with a planned 20,000 meters for the first half of the year, the filing said. Contractor Australian Underground Drilling is set to begin 65,000 meters of underground drilling in February.

Meanwhile, underground development at the Juniper Decline is progressing on schedule with more than 1,230 meters completed, per the filing.

Shares of the mining firm fell 3% in morning trade Thursday.