How Will Argent’s New Drilling Unlock Kempfield’s Hidden Depths?
Argent Minerals is fast-tracking its Kempfield Polymetallic Project in NSW, launching diamond drilling and metallurgical testwork to explore early production options and support a scoping study.
- Initiation of diamond drilling over Lode 100 and 200 at Kempfield
- Metallurgical testwork to evaluate heap leach and CIL processing routes
- Scoping study to assess early cash flow and long-term development potential
- 63.7Mt mineral resource upgraded with significant silver, gold, lead, and zinc
- Ongoing exploration commitment across broader NSW and WA projects
Accelerating Kempfield’s Path to Production
Argent Minerals Limited (ASX – ARD) has announced a decisive step forward in the development of its flagship Kempfield Polymetallic Project in New South Wales. The company is set to commence diamond drilling within weeks, targeting two key mineralised lodes to better define their vertical extent and to secure material for comprehensive metallurgical testing. This marks a pivotal phase aimed at underpinning a Project Scoping Study that will evaluate early production opportunities and lay the groundwork for full-scale mining operations.
Managing Director Pedro Kastellorizos emphasised the significance of this program, highlighting Argent’s commitment to de-risking Kempfield through detailed technical and economic assessments. The company is exploring the potential for early cash flow via a heap leachable product, which could provide a financial foundation for subsequent hard rock mining and the construction of a Carbon-In-Leach (CIL) processing plant to handle the project’s substantial 46.6 million tonnes of primary ore.
Technical and Economic Evaluation Underway
The upcoming drilling campaign involves two diamond holes totaling approximately 700 metres, focused on Lode 100 and Lode 200. These holes will not only delineate the mineralised zones’ depth but also supply samples for metallurgical testwork. BHM Process Consultants Pty Ltd has recently completed a review of historical metallurgical data, providing a preliminary economic assessment of processing options based on potential revenues, operating costs, and profitability.
Samples will be processed by Auralia Metallurgy Pty Ltd in Western Australia, with the program designed to deliver critical technical outputs including process flow diagrams, design criteria, mass balance reports, and capital and operating cost models with an accuracy of ±35%. These deliverables will inform a Process Development Report to guide future engineering decisions and support the forthcoming Scoping Study.
Resource Scale and Strategic Outlook
Kempfield boasts a recently upgraded Mineral Resource estimate of 63.7 million tonnes at 69.75 grams per tonne silver equivalent, containing 65.8 million ounces of silver, 125,192 ounces of gold, 207,402 tonnes of lead, and 420,373 tonnes of zinc. This scale and quality underpin Argent’s confidence in a clear pathway to production.
While advancing near-term development plans, Argent maintains a strong focus on expanding its resource base and continuing exploration across its broader portfolio in New South Wales and Western Australia. The company aims to establish Kempfield as a scalable, multi-deposit hub within one of NSW’s most prospective mining regions, positioning itself for long-term value creation.
Looking Ahead
The success of the drilling and metallurgical programs will be critical in shaping the economic viability and development trajectory of Kempfield. Argent’s approach balances near-term production potential with a strategic vision for sustained growth, reflecting a measured yet ambitious advancement of its polymetallic assets.
Bottom Line?
Argent’s accelerated drilling and testwork at Kempfield could unlock early production pathways, setting the stage for a transformative development phase.
Questions in the middle?
- What will the initial diamond drilling results reveal about the depth and continuity of Lode 100 and 200?
- How will metallurgical testwork outcomes influence the choice between heap leach and CIL processing routes?
- What are the potential timelines and capital requirements for transitioning from scoping study to full-scale development?
