Black Cat Syndicate reports promising high-grade antimony drilling results at its Mt Clement project, confirming significant mineralisation within and beyond the current resource. The ongoing program aims to expand the resource and underpin economic studies for this critical minerals asset.
- 15 diamond drill holes completed intersecting Taipan Lode
- High-grade antimony, lead, and silver assays confirm broad mineralised zones
- New mineralised lodes identified north of current resource with assays pending
- ~7,000m drill program expanded to target extensional zones
- Metallurgical sampling and environmental studies underway to support economic assessment
Context and Significance
Black Cat Syndicate Limited (ASX – BC8) has delivered a significant update on its Mt Clement Antimony Project, located just 30 kilometres from its Paulsens Gold Operation in Western Australia. The company is advancing a substantial diamond drilling program targeting both resource infill and extensions of the high-grade Taipan Lode, a key mineralised structure within the project.
Antimony, a critical mineral with growing strategic importance, is currently dominated by Chinese supply. Mt Clement’s potential to become a commercially viable source is underscored by recent drilling results confirming broad zones of high-grade antimony mineralisation, accompanied by lead and silver credits.
Drilling Highlights and Resource Expansion
To date, Black Cat has completed 15 holes totalling over 4,100 metres, all intersecting the Taipan Lode. Assays from three holes reveal encouraging grades, including intercepts such as 12.45 metres at 1.15% antimony with significant lead and silver, and deeper zones approximately 40 metres below the current resource showing even higher grades, including a 0.6-metre interval grading 7.43% antimony and 12.3% lead.
Notably, one exploration hole has identified three additional mineralised lodes north of Taipan, a previously untested area, prompting an expansion of the drilling program by around 1,000 metres. These extensional targets could materially increase the resource base if assays confirm the initial indications.
Supporting Studies and Strategic Positioning
Alongside drilling, Black Cat is collecting metallurgical samples to better understand processing characteristics, a critical step towards economic feasibility. Environmental baseline studies and heritage surveys are also underway, reflecting a comprehensive approach to project development.
Mt Clement benefits from proximity to existing infrastructure at Paulsens and inclusion within the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility zone, which offers potential government support for critical minerals projects. This strategic positioning enhances the project's attractiveness amid global supply chain diversification efforts.
Looking Ahead
Black Cat plans to continue drilling through early 2026, with further assay results expected in the coming months. The company aims to complete a detailed economic study by the third quarter of 2026, which will integrate drilling, metallurgical, and environmental data to assess Mt Clement’s commercial viability.
Managing Director Gareth Solly emphasised the significance of these results, highlighting the project's potential as a near-term growth opportunity and a critical minerals supplier aligned with recent bilateral agreements between Australia and the United States.
Bottom Line?
As Black Cat advances drilling and studies, Mt Clement’s evolving resource and strategic location position it as a compelling critical minerals asset to watch.
Questions in the middle?
- Will upcoming assays confirm the extent and grade of the newly identified northern lodes?
- How will metallurgical test results influence processing strategies and project economics?
- What level of government infrastructure support and funding can Mt Clement secure under the NAIF framework?