6.3m at 2.2% Tin: Stellar’s Latest Drillhole Boosts Heemskirk Project
Stellar Resources reports strong new tin drill results at Queen Hill, supporting resource upgrades and advancing the Heemskirk project towards production readiness.
- Drillhole ZQ186 returns 6.3m at 2.2% tin including 2m at 2.81%
- High-grade mineralisation extends below previous resource boundaries
- Plans underway to extend the 9,500m drilling program
- Prefeasibility study progressing with ore sorting test work
- Aims for 3,000–3,500 tonnes per annum payable tin production
Strong Drill Results at Queen Hill
Stellar Resources Limited (ASX – SRZ) has announced encouraging new drilling results from its Queen Hill deposit within the Heemskirk Tin Project in Western Tasmania. The standout intercept comes from drillhole ZQ186, which returned 6.3 metres at 2.2% tin, including a higher-grade 2 metres at 2.81% tin. This intercept lies 50 metres below a previously reported mineralised zone and surpasses the grade-thickness product of holes above it, suggesting the tin system extends deeper than earlier models indicated.
Implications for Resource Upgrade
The new results bolster the potential to convert material currently classified as Inferred into the higher-confidence Indicated category in the upcoming Mineral Resource Estimate update. This upgrade is critical for advancing the project towards development and financing stages. Stellar is actively drilling with two rigs and plans to extend its current 9,500-metre program in light of these successes, aiming to further delineate and expand the resource base.
Advancing Prefeasibility and Production Goals
Alongside exploration, Stellar is progressing prefeasibility studies that include ore sorting test work on Queen Hill material to enhance tin recovery and concentrate grades. The company aspires to produce between 3,000 and 3,500 tonnes per annum of payable tin over the first 6 to 10 years of production, a significant increase from the 1,900 tonnes per annum base case outlined in the 2024 Scoping Study. While this production target remains aspirational, the ongoing drilling and metallurgical work provide a solid foundation for this ambition.
Strategic Positioning in Tin Market
The Heemskirk project hosts one of the highest-grade undeveloped tin resources in Australia and ranks third globally. Tin is a critical metal with growing demand in electronics and emerging technologies. Stellar’s progress in extending high-grade zones and upgrading resource confidence positions it well to capitalize on this market. The company’s Managing Director, Simon Taylor, highlighted the consistency of mineralisation and the strong potential for resource expansion as key drivers for the project’s advancement.
Next Steps and Market Watch
With the prefeasibility study on track for completion in the second half of 2025, investors will be watching closely for further assay results and updates on the extended drilling program. Environmental baseline studies are also underway to support regulatory approvals. Stellar’s ability to convert exploration success into a robust development plan will be pivotal in determining its market trajectory and contribution to global tin supply.
Bottom Line?
Stellar’s expanding high-grade tin zones at Queen Hill set the stage for a pivotal resource upgrade and project advancement.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the upcoming Mineral Resource Estimate update affect the overall resource classification and size?
- What are the expected timelines and capital requirements for transitioning from prefeasibility to development?
- How might ore sorting and metallurgical improvements impact the project's economics and tin recovery rates?
