R.J.K. Explorations Ltd. suspended drilling operations on the Rolling Pond gold property in central Newfoundland after running into extensive mechanical issues and difficult ground conditions on its first drill hole of the program which started in early November.

The company said Dec. 24 that two attempts were made to complete the first drill hole of the program, but both were unsuccessful and severe winter conditions in the area made operations and access to the drill site increasingly difficult and costly.

R.J.K. intends to continue its drill program at the property again in spring 2019, once winter conditions are no longer a major factor.

The company added that assays for certain sections of the core will be submitted to the lab in the coming weeks and results be announced in 2019.

R.J.K. previously intended on drilling a second target it had outlined this year during fall, where a coincident gold anomaly was identified.

In September, the company optioned the drill-ready Rolling Pond property.