Indicated Silver-Lead Resource at Maronan Grows 2.5x to 5.3 Mt; Maiden Copper-Gold Resource Reported
Maronan Metals has significantly expanded its resource confidence at the Maronan Project, reporting a 2.5-fold increase in the Indicated Silver-Lead resource and introducing a maiden Indicated Copper-Gold resource. This update underscores the project’s growing potential as it advances towards development.
- Indicated Silver-Lead resource in Starter Zone grows 2.5 times to 5.3 Mt
- Total Starter Zone Silver-Lead resource now 12.2 Mt at 5.0% lead and 112 g/t silver
- Maiden Indicated Copper-Gold resource of 1.6 Mt at 0.77% copper and 0.67 g/t gold
- Global Silver-Lead resource totals 33.1 Mt at 6.0% lead and 108 g/t silver
- Metallurgical tests show excellent recoveries; permitting for exploration decline underway
Resource Growth and Confidence
Maronan Metals has delivered a substantial update to its Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the Maronan Project in northwest Queensland, Australia. The company announced a 2.5-fold increase in the Indicated Silver-Lead resource within the shallow Starter Zone, now totaling 5.3 million tonnes at 5.2% lead and 116 grams per tonne silver. This marks a significant milestone, reflecting the success of extensive infill drilling and refined geological modelling.
The total combined Inferred and Indicated Silver-Lead resource in the Starter Zone stands at 12.2 million tonnes grading 5.0% lead and 112 g/t silver, highlighting the deposit’s near-surface potential for early development. Beyond the Starter Zone, the global Silver-Lead resource remains robust at 33.1 million tonnes at 6.0% lead and 108 g/t silver, with mineralisation open at depth, suggesting further upside.
Maiden Copper-Gold Resource and Geological Insights
Alongside the Silver-Lead update, Maronan Metals reported a maiden Indicated Copper-Gold resource within the Starter Zone of 1.6 million tonnes at 0.77% copper and 0.67 g/t gold, complemented by a total Inferred plus Indicated Copper-Gold resource of 7.0 million tonnes at 0.71% copper and 0.55 g/t gold. The copper-gold mineralisation extends well beyond the Starter Zone, with a global resource estimate of 32.0 million tonnes at 0.85% copper and 0.63 g/t gold, remaining open down-plunge.
The company’s geological modelling benefits from over 27,000 metres of drilling over three years, combined with re-logging of historic core and advanced 3D modelling techniques. This has enabled near 100% conversion of Inferred to Indicated Silver-Lead resources in the Starter Zone, underscoring the deposit’s geological continuity and mineability.
Advancing Towards Development
Metallurgical testwork has confirmed excellent recoveries for both silver-lead and copper-gold ores, supporting the economic viability of the project. Maronan Metals is progressing an application for a Mineral Development License, expected to conclude by the end of 2025, which will facilitate construction of an exploration decline for underground drilling and bulk sampling.
Updates to the preliminary Scoping Study are underway, leveraging the enhanced resource base to refine mine planning and project economics. The company’s Managing Director, Richard Carlton, emphasised the significance of these milestones in advancing the Maronan discovery towards becoming a mine.
Environmental and Operational Considerations
Environmental baseline studies and groundwater monitoring are in progress, with no material concerns reported to date. The project benefits from strong tenure security and established agreements with native title claimants and landholders, positioning it well for future permitting and development phases.
Overall, Maronan Metals’ resource update reflects a maturing project with increasing confidence in its geological model and economic potential, setting the stage for the next phase of exploration and feasibility work.
Bottom Line?
With a strengthened resource base and advancing development plans, Maronan Metals is poised to unlock significant value at Maronan, but key permitting and economic studies lie ahead.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the updated resource estimates impact Maronan Metals’ valuation and financing plans?
- What are the timelines and potential hurdles for securing the Mineral Development License?
- How might ongoing metallurgical and geotechnical studies influence future mine design and processing strategies?
