Critical Minerals Pact Raises Stakes for Dart Mining’s Coonambula Project
Dart Mining continues to reveal promising antimony mineralisation at its Coonambula project in Queensland, aligning with the new Australia-USA critical minerals pact. Assay results are pending, but visual drilling intercepts suggest significant potential.
- Visual stibnite veins intersected in multiple drill holes
- Farm-in joint venture with Great Divide Mining advancing rapidly
- Project aligns with Australia-USA $4.6 billion critical minerals investment pact
- Assay results expected in November 2025
- Plans include further drilling, geophysical surveys, and 3D resource modelling
Drilling Success at Coonambula
Dart Mining NL (ASX – DTM) has reported ongoing success in its diamond drilling program at the Coonambula Antimony-Gold Project in Central Queensland. The recent drill holes have visually intercepted high-grade stibnite mineralisation, a key antimony ore, confirming the geological model and extending the known mineralised zones.
Notably, drill holes CBADD002 and CBADD003 have revealed massive stibnite veins with visual estimates reaching up to 95% stibnite over narrow intervals. These visual observations, while not a substitute for laboratory assays, strongly indicate the presence of economically significant antimony mineralisation.
Strategic Importance Amid Critical Minerals Pact
This discovery comes at a pivotal time as Australia and the United States recently signed a critical minerals pact, committing $4.6 billion over six months to mining and processing projects. Dart Mining’s Coonambula project, under a farm-in joint venture with Great Divide Mining (ASX – GDM), positions the company as a potential key supplier of antimony, a critical mineral essential for various industrial applications including flame retardants and batteries.
The project’s location, approximately 390km northwest of Brisbane and near established goldfields, adds to its strategic value. Historical mining at the Banshee site within the project area produced high-grade antimony ore, and recent drilling is confirming extensions of this mineralisation.
Next Steps and Exploration Outlook
Dart Mining plans to continue its drilling campaign, focusing on the Banshee antimony-gold trend, while awaiting assay results expected in November. The company will also complete and interpret an induced polarization (IP) geophysical survey to refine drilling targets. A 3D geological model of the mineralisation is in development, with the aim of defining a JORC-compliant resource in due course.
These steps are critical for moving the project from exploration towards potential development, especially given the growing demand for critical minerals globally. The collaboration with Great Divide Mining leverages historical data and local expertise, enhancing the likelihood of successful resource delineation.
Broader Implications for Dart Mining
Beyond Coonambula, Dart Mining is expanding its footprint in Queensland and Victoria, targeting intrusion-related gold systems and other critical minerals. The company’s strategic focus on advanced-stage projects and critical minerals aligns well with global supply chain priorities and government support, potentially unlocking significant shareholder value.
While visual estimates of mineralisation are encouraging, the market will be watching closely for the upcoming assay results, which will provide the quantitative data needed to assess the project’s commercial viability.
Bottom Line?
With assays due soon, Dart Mining’s Coonambula project could become a cornerstone in Australia’s critical minerals supply chain.
Questions in the middle?
- What will the laboratory assay results reveal about the true grade and extent of antimony mineralisation?
- How will the Australia-USA critical minerals pact influence funding and development timelines for Coonambula?
- Can Dart Mining define a JORC resource that supports a viable mining operation in the near term?
