Can EV Resources Fast-Track High-Grade Antimony Production at Los Lirios?

Promising Mineralogy at Los Lirios

EV Resources Limited (ASX, EVR) has revealed encouraging early-stage results from its Los Lirios antimony project located in Oaxaca, Mexico. The company’s initial mineralogical studies show a composite sample grading 4.45% antimony (Sb) with exceptionally low levels of contaminants such as arsenic and lead. This purity is a significant advantage for producing high-quality antimony products, a critical mineral in global supply chains.

The mineralogy is dominated by two antimony species, stibiconite (69.5%) and stibnite (30.5%), both fully liberated from surrounding quartz and calcite gangue. This liberation, combined with a strong density contrast between antimony minerals and host rock, makes gravity separation a highly effective and cost-efficient recovery method. EV Resources plans to commence detailed metallurgical test work and flowsheet design in July 2025 to refine processing techniques.

Fast-Tracking Production with Pilot Plant Plans

Building on these positive metallurgical characteristics, EV Resources is advancing plans for a 100-tonne-per-day pilot gravity plant. Early discussions with equipment suppliers are underway, signaling the company’s intent to rapidly transition from exploration to production. The pilot plant aims to restart mining operations at two historic open pits, Los Lirios 1 and Los Lirios 3, where sampling has returned antimony grades as high as 9.9% Sb.

This approach aligns with EV Resources’ broader strategy to leverage simple, low-cost processing pathways to deliver antimony supply into the critical minerals market. Given antimony’s role in flame retardants, batteries, and other industrial applications, Los Lirios could become a meaningful contributor amid rising global demand.

Geological Context and Exploration Outlook

The Los Lirios project lies within the Mixteca Terrane, a geologically complex region known for mineralized shear zones and historic small-scale mining. The antimony mineralization is hosted primarily in Jurassic limestone and associated shear zones, with potential mineralized thicknesses exceeding 250 meters. While no drilling has yet been conducted, ongoing mapping, trenching, and sampling campaigns are planned for the third quarter of 2025 to better define the deposit’s extent and grade continuity.

EV Resources’ technical team, led by experienced consultants, has ensured rigorous sampling and assay protocols, with quality control measures confirming the reliability of the results. The company also highlights the low environmental and permitting risks associated with the project’s tenure and location.

Positioning in the Critical Minerals Landscape

Antimony is classified as a critical mineral by many governments due to its strategic importance and supply vulnerabilities. EV Resources’ Los Lirios project, with its high-grade, clean metallurgy and straightforward processing, offers a timely opportunity to bolster supply. The company’s methodical approach to pilot plant development and exploration reflects a pragmatic pathway toward commercial production.

Investors and market watchers will be keenly observing upcoming metallurgical test results and pilot plant progress, which will provide clearer insights into Los Lirios’ economic potential and scalability.