Battery Age Minerals has completed extensive exploration at its El Aguila Gold-Silver Project in Argentina, confirming free-milling gold and preparing for maiden drilling in the third quarter of 2025.
- Completion of integrated geophysical surveys and soil sampling
- Petrographic analysis confirms presence of free gold and silver
- Environmental Impact Assessment fieldwork finalized, drill permit on track
- Multiple high-grade drill-ready targets identified across untested corridors
- Maiden drilling campaign planned for Q3 2025
Exploration Milestone at El Aguila
Battery Age Minerals Ltd (ASX: BM8) has announced the successful completion of a comprehensive exploration program at its El Aguila Gold-Silver Project in Argentina’s Santa Cruz Province. The multi-disciplinary fieldwork included ground magnetic, gradient induced polarisation (IP), resistivity surveys, detailed surface mapping, and an extensive soil sampling campaign. These efforts have significantly enhanced the geological understanding of the project and laid the groundwork for imminent drilling activities.
The company collected over 800 soil samples across five systematic grids, targeting extensions of known mineralised zones and newly identified geophysical anomalies. These samples have been dispatched for assay, with results expected shortly to refine kilometre-scale target areas. Complementing this, geophysical surveys have delineated multiple structural corridors and resistive features indicative of mineralisation continuity, including previously untested anomalies west of the El Aguila Main zone.
Confirming Free-Milling Gold and Silver
One of the standout outcomes from the exploration program is the petrographic analysis of vein samples, which confirmed the presence of free gold and electrum hosted within quartz veins. This free-milling characteristic is a positive indicator for future processing and metallurgy, suggesting that the gold and silver can be efficiently extracted. The analysis also revealed classic epithermal textures and alteration minerals consistent with a low-sulphidation system, supporting the geological model for high-grade mineralisation at shallow depths.
Environmental and Regulatory Progress
Battery Age has completed all necessary fieldwork for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), including biological and archaeological surveys, aligning with provincial permitting requirements. The company remains on track to submit its EIA and drill permit applications by the end of the second quarter of 2025. Pending approvals, the maiden drilling campaign is scheduled to commence in the third quarter, targeting multiple high-grade corridors identified through integrated geophysical and geochemical datasets.
Strategic Implications and Next Steps
The integration of new geophysical data with historical geochemical information has refined multiple drill-ready targets across previously untested structural corridors. This positions Battery Age Minerals to efficiently allocate drilling resources and potentially accelerate the delineation of mineral resources. The company plans to finalize a 3D geological model incorporating all datasets to guide drill collar placement. Investors will be keenly awaiting the upcoming assay results and the commencement of drilling, which will provide critical insights into the project's economic potential.
CEO Nigel Broomham highlighted the transformative impact of the recent programs, stating that the enhanced understanding of the mineral system and confirmation of free-milling gold significantly de-risk the next exploration phase. The company’s disciplined approach to exploration and permitting underscores its commitment to advancing El Aguila towards development.
Bottom Line?
With drilling permits imminent and free gold confirmed, Battery Age Minerals is poised to unlock El Aguila’s high-grade potential in 2025.
Questions in the middle?
- What will the upcoming soil assay results reveal about the extent of mineralisation?
- How will the final 3D geological model influence drill targeting and resource estimation?
- What are the potential timelines and hurdles for obtaining drilling permits and commencing operations?