A planned campaign of drilling — the main way an explorer converts money into information.
A systematic exploration program using diamond or reverse circulation drilling to obtain subsurface samples for geological and geochemical analysis. Drill programs are essential for resource definition, exploration targeting, and upgrading resource classifications.
Metres drilled and holes completed are the clearest measure of whether a company is actually working. A junior that raised money and has not drilled it is burning treasury on overheads.
Watch the purpose: step-out drilling tests whether a system extends, infill drilling tightens confidence for a resource upgrade. They are funded for different reasons and carry very different odds.