Stelar Metals Pursues Expansion with Baratta Copper Project at Core

Strategic Focus on Tier 1 Jurisdictions

Stelar Metals Limited (ASX:SLB) has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding its portfolio by actively seeking new business development opportunities across Tier 1 jurisdictions, particularly in Western Australia and South Australia. This strategic focus aligns with the company's broader ambition to capitalize on Australia's rich mineral endowment, targeting commodities such as gold, copper, rare earths, uranium, and mineral sands.

During the quarter ending 31 March 2025, Stelar maintained a disciplined approach to exploration and acquisition, underscoring its intent to deliver long-term value to shareholders through targeted growth.

Baratta Copper Project: A Promising Sediment-Hosted Copper Play

The Baratta Copper Project in South Australia's Flinders Ranges remains the centerpiece of Stelar's exploration efforts. The project covers two granted licences and is considered highly prospective for sediment-hosted stratabound copper mineralisation, a globally significant copper source second only to porphyry deposits.

Geologically, Baratta shares compelling similarities with the Central African Copperbelt (CACB), one of the world's richest copper-producing regions. The project area features a 7-kilometre corridor of copper mineralisation and geophysical targets that have historically been underexplored. Notably, the historic Baratta Copper Mine produced high-grade copper ore between 1896 and 1904, indicating the potential for economically viable deposits.

South Australia itself holds 69% of Australia's demonstrated copper resources, producing about one-third of the nation's mined copper, making Baratta's prospects particularly significant within the domestic context.

Portfolio Optimization and Financial Position

In line with its portfolio management strategy, Stelar completed the sale of its Perseus Project in New South Wales to Red Metal Limited for net proceeds of $230,000 during the quarter. This divestment allows the company to concentrate resources on higher-priority assets like Baratta and its lithium-rich Trident Project near Broken Hill.

Financially, Stelar reported a cash balance of $2.687 million at the end of March 2025, supporting ongoing exploration activities. The company incurred $94,723 in exploration and evaluation expenditure during the quarter, reflecting a measured investment in advancing its projects without overextending its financial position.

Outlook and Market Positioning

While no production or development activities occurred during the quarter, Stelar's methodical exploration and business development efforts position it well to capitalize on the increasing global demand for critical minerals, especially copper, which is essential for the energy transition and net-zero ambitions.

With a seasoned management team and a clear focus on Tier 1 jurisdictions, Stelar is navigating a competitive landscape by leveraging geological analogies to world-class copper belts and maintaining financial discipline. The company’s ongoing hunt for new projects suggests a proactive stance toward growth, which investors will watch closely in the coming quarters.