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Can Thunderbird Unlock High-Grade Gold and Antimony in NSW’s Emerging Hotspot?

Mining By Maxwell Dee 3 min read

Thunderbird Resources advances exploration of high-grade gold and antimony projects in New South Wales, while progressing copper and uranium ventures in Peru and Canada.

  • 100% ownership of Rockvale and Kookabookra projects in NSW with promising high-grade gold and antimony assays
  • Picha JV copper project in Peru benefits from BHP Xplor funding and technical support
  • Canadian uranium portfolio includes multiple advanced targets with recent geophysical surveys and drilling
  • Strong technical leadership driving district-scale exploration strategy in NSW
  • Upcoming drilling and geophysical programs planned to refine and expand target areas

Exploration Focus in New South Wales

Thunderbird Resources Limited is intensifying its exploration efforts in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, targeting high-grade gold and antimony mineralisation. The company holds 100% ownership of two significant projects: Rockvale and Kookabookra, covering 363 and 255 square kilometres respectively. Both projects boast historical high-grade assay results, with Rockvale showing gold grades up to 76g/t and antimony up to 18.2%, while Kookabookra has yielded gold assays as high as 42.6g/t.

Recent rock chip sampling and geological mapping at Rockvale’s Achill and Taits Gully prospects have confirmed the presence of consistent high-grade antimony and gold mineralisation, reinforcing the potential for an Intrusive Related Gold System (IRGS). The proximity of Rockvale to Larvotto’s Hillgrove project, which hosts Australia’s largest antimony resource, further underscores the district-scale potential Thunderbird is aiming to unlock.

Expanding Copper and Uranium Interests

Beyond NSW, Thunderbird is advancing its copper and uranium interests through strategic partnerships and wholly owned assets. The Picha JV copper project in Peru, operated by Firetail Resources, has attracted BHP Xplor’s 2025 Accelerated Exploration Program support, including $500,000 in equity-free funding and technical expertise. The project is highly prospective for multiple mineralisation styles, including porphyry copper and carbonate replacement deposits, with recent drilling returning encouraging copper and silver intercepts.

In Canada, Thunderbird’s uranium portfolio spans several projects in the Athabasca Basin, including Hidden Bay, Cluff Lake, and Surprise Creek. Recent geophysical surveys and drilling have identified multiple high-priority uranium targets, with rock chip samples at Surprise Creek reaching uranium grades up to 7.98% U3O8. The company’s technical team, supported by experienced consultants and geologists, is focused on advancing these assets through detailed exploration and resource definition.

Leadership and Strategic Outlook

Thunderbird’s executive team brings extensive experience in resource exploration and corporate development. Executive Chairman George Ventouras, with over 15 years in the sector, leads a management group that includes Technical Director Robin Wilson, a seasoned exploration geologist with a track record of discovery. The company is committed to transparent communication and rigorous technical work to drive exploration success.

With a market capitalisation of approximately A$4.4 million and a net cash position of around A$1.25 million, Thunderbird is well-positioned to execute its planned work programs. These include detailed aeromagnetic surveys, geological mapping, soil and rock chip sampling, and both reverse circulation and diamond drilling campaigns aimed at defining drill targets and expanding known mineralisation zones.

Market Context and Commodity Demand

Thunderbird’s focus on gold and antimony aligns with growing market demand for these commodities. Antimony, used in renewable energy technologies, electronics, and defence applications, is subject to supply constraints due to export restrictions from major producers like China. The company’s NSW projects offer a strategic opportunity to tap into this critical mineral supply chain. Simultaneously, the copper and uranium assets provide exposure to base metals and energy minerals essential for the global energy transition.

Bottom Line?

Thunderbird Resources is positioning itself as a multi-commodity explorer with promising NSW gold-antimony projects and strategic copper and uranium interests abroad, setting the stage for significant upcoming exploration milestones.

Questions in the middle?

  • Will upcoming drilling at Rockvale and Kookabookra confirm and expand high-grade gold-antimony zones?
  • How will BHP Xplor’s technical support accelerate exploration outcomes at the Picha JV copper project?
  • What are the timelines and potential scale for resource definition at the Canadian uranium projects?