Apollo Minerals Uncovers Extensive Gallium Enrichment at Kroussou Zinc-Lead Project

Exploration Breakthrough at Kroussou

Apollo Minerals Limited (ASX – AON) has announced a compelling development at its Kroussou Zinc-Lead Project in Gabon, revealing extensive gallium mineralisation associated with its established zinc-lead deposits. This discovery emerged from a detailed review of new geological mapping combined with existing drilling data, highlighting a gallium-enriched halo within the sedimentary rocks that host the zinc-lead mineralisation.

Gallium, a critical mineral essential for high-speed semiconductors, LEDs, and solar photovoltaic cells, is currently dominated by Chinese supply, accounting for over 98% of global production. Apollo’s identification of gallium enrichment, particularly in near-surface saprolite and laterite weathering zones, introduces a valuable new dimension to the project’s potential economic profile.

High-Grade Zinc-Lead and Gallium Zones

Fieldwork in 2025 confirmed additional high-grade zinc-lead surface outcrops along prospective sedimentary contacts, extending key embayment targets such as Doubaye and Ngongui by approximately 700 metres. Rock chip samples returned zinc-plus-lead grades up to 3.4%, while gallium assays from diamond drilling revealed intercepts with grades as high as 36 parts per million (ppm) over several metres near surface.

The gallium mineralisation is notably associated with siltstone horizons within the sedimentary package and is present throughout the host rocks. Given that drilling to date has only tested a fraction of the 18 defined embayment structures, the broader Kroussou region remains effectively untested for gallium, suggesting significant upside potential.

Strategic Implications and Next Steps

Managing Director Neil Inwood described the findings as "highly encouraging," emphasizing the dual opportunity presented by zinc-lead and gallium mineralisation. The company plans to undertake further work to delineate the distribution and mineralogy of gallium, alongside investigating metallurgical pathways that could integrate gallium credits into future mining scenarios.

With the Kroussou project covering over 2,300 square kilometres in a mining-friendly jurisdiction, and only six of 23 target prospects partially drill tested, Apollo Minerals is positioned to unlock substantial value. The project’s shallow mineralisation and excellent metallurgical recoveries for zinc and lead further enhance its attractiveness.

While the initial Exploration Target remains conceptual, the addition of gallium, a critical technology metal, could elevate the project’s strategic importance amid global supply chain concerns. The company’s forthcoming exploration and metallurgical programs will be pivotal in confirming the economic viability of gallium credits.