Infinity Mining Uncovers Antimony at Walhalla South, Echoing Major Gold Systems
Infinity Mining has identified promising antimony sulphide mineralisation at its Walhalla South Extended Project in Victoria, linked to a distinctive magnetic anomaly reminiscent of intrusion-related gold systems.
- Discovery of stibnite mineralisation on EL 7356
- Four rock chip samples submitted for assay with results pending
- Mineralisation aligns with a circular magnetic target interpreted as a sub-vertical intrusion
- Geological similarities to Southern Cross Gold’s Sunday Creek Project
- Plans for further exploration including geophysical surveys and mapping
Discovery and Geological Context
Infinity Mining Limited (ASX – IMI) has announced the discovery of antimony sulphide, known as stibnite, at its Walhalla South Extended Project (EL 7356) in eastern Victoria. This discovery comes from four surface rock chip samples collected from the site, which have been sent to ALS Laboratories for assay testing, including antimony, gold, and other metals. The assays are eagerly awaited to confirm the grades and potential economic significance of the mineralisation.
The mineralisation coincides with a distinctive circular magnetic anomaly approximately 1.5 kilometres across, interpreted as a sub-vertical intrusion. Such magnetic signatures are characteristic of intrusion-related gold systems (IRGS), a style of mineralisation that often hosts significant gold and associated metals, including antimony.
Strategic Importance of Antimony
Antimony is classified as a critical metal by many governments worldwide due to its strategic applications. It is widely used as a flame retardant in defence, renewable energy, and battery technologies. The metal’s supply has become increasingly constrained, particularly as China, the dominant global producer, has reduced exports citing national security concerns and environmental regulations. This supply tightening has driven antimony prices to more than triple over recent years, underscoring the significance of new discoveries outside China.
Regional Significance and Comparisons
The Walhalla South Extended tenement lies within the Melbourne Zone of Victoria, a region with a rich history of gold mining and prospective geology for IRGS-style deposits. Notably, the project is situated about 100 kilometres southeast of Southern Cross Gold’s Sunday Creek Project, which hosts a major high-grade gold and antimony system with an exploration target of 1.7 to 2.6 million ounces of gold.
Infinity Mining’s magnetic target shares similarities with the magnetic signatures of known IRGS deposits such as Mount Wright in Queensland, which contains approximately 1.3 million ounces of gold. This comparison bolsters the prospectivity of the Walhalla South Extended area and supports the company’s exploration model targeting intrusion-related mineralisation.
Next Steps in Exploration
Infinity Mining plans to undertake further exploration activities to better define the extent and grade of the antimony mineralisation. These include detailed geological mapping, additional geochemical sampling, and advanced geophysical surveys such as drone magnetic and induced polarization (IP) surveys. These efforts aim to refine the target model ahead of potential drill testing, which has not yet been conducted at this magnetic anomaly.
Managing Director Joe Phillips highlighted the strategic timing of this discovery amid rising antimony prices and long-term demand forecasts, positioning Infinity Mining to potentially expand its footprint in Victoria’s critical minerals sector.
Bottom Line?
As assay results approach and exploration intensifies, Infinity Mining’s Walhalla South discovery could mark a pivotal step in securing Australia’s critical antimony supply.
Questions in the middle?
- What will the assay results reveal about the grade and extent of antimony and gold mineralisation?
- How will Infinity Mining prioritize and fund the next phases of exploration, including drilling?
- Could this discovery lead to a new significant antimony supply outside China, impacting global markets?