Tivan has initiated its first diamond drilling program at the high-grade lead-silver Aileron target in the Northern Territory, following a key land access agreement. This marks a pivotal step in assessing a promising polymetallic deposit within the Sandover AI Project.
- Maiden diamond drilling commenced at Aileron lead-silver target
- Land Access & Compensation Agreement secured with Aileron Station
- Surface sampling revealed lead grades up to 23.8% Pb and silver up to 469 g/t Ag
- Drilling co-funded by NT Government grants under Resourcing the Territory initiative
- Collaboration underway for a Regional Logistics Hub to enhance operational efficiency
Tivan Advances Exploration at Aileron
Tivan Limited (ASX: TVN), a critical minerals explorer, has commenced a maiden diamond drilling program targeting high-grade lead and silver mineralisation at its Aileron prospect, part of the broader Sandover AI Project in the Northern Territory. This follows the recent execution of a Land Access & Compensation Agreement (LACA) with Aileron Station, which formalises exploration activities and ensures cooperative land management with the pastoral leaseholders.
The Aileron prospect has already demonstrated significant surface mineralisation, with rock chip sampling confirming lead grades as high as 23.8% Pb and silver assays reaching 469 g/t Ag. These results delineate a substantial lead-enriched zone measuring approximately 1.75km by 750m and a silver-enriched zone of 2km by 300m, underscoring the potential for a polymetallic deposit of economic interest.
Drilling Program and Strategic Partnerships
The drilling campaign, conducted in alliance with EARTH AI, involves two priority diamond drill holes each approximately 600 metres deep, designed to test the most prospective zones identified through extensive sampling and geophysical surveys. The initial phase is expected to conclude within two months, with a follow-up induced polarisation geophysics survey scheduled for April to further refine subsurface targets.
Importantly, the program benefits from financial support through the Northern Territory Government’s Resourcing the Territory initiative, with grants totalling $129,000 co-funding both drilling and geophysical activities. This public backing reflects the strategic importance of the Sandover AI Project within the region’s critical minerals landscape.
Regional Infrastructure and Operational Efficiency
Beyond exploration, Tivan is actively collaborating with the NT Government on the development of a Regional Logistics Hub near the intersection of the Sandover and Plenty Highways, close to the Ghan Railway. Supported by $440 million in federal funding, this infrastructure project aims to enhance supply chain capacity and reduce haulage costs for mineral projects in central Australia, including Tivan’s Sandover AI and recently acquired Sandover Fluorite Projects.
The logistics hub concept is particularly compelling given the remote location of these projects and the existing transport challenges. By leveraging proximity to major highways and rail infrastructure, Tivan anticipates significant operational efficiencies that could materially improve project economics.
Stakeholder Engagement and Future Outlook
Tivan’s Executive Chairman, Grant Wilson, expressed gratitude to the Aileron Station management for their support in finalising the land access agreement, highlighting the importance of strong stakeholder relationships in advancing exploration. He emphasised the company’s ambition to establish the first successful mining operation near Alice Springs in over a century, signaling confidence in the project’s potential.
With drilling underway and strategic infrastructure planning progressing, Tivan is positioning itself at the forefront of critical minerals development in the Northern Territory. The coming months will be crucial as assay results emerge and the company advances its exploration and operational plans.
Bottom Line?
Tivan’s maiden drilling at Aileron and logistics hub collaboration set the stage for a potentially transformative critical minerals project in central Australia.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the initial drill holes confirm a polymetallic deposit of economic scale?
- How will the Regional Logistics Hub impact Tivan’s cost structure and project timelines?
- What further exploration targets might emerge from the upcoming geophysics survey?