EV Resources Mobilises Drill Rig to Unlock High-Grade Antimony at Los Lirios
EV Resources has commenced a fully funded maiden diamond drilling program at its Los Lirios Antimony Project in Mexico, aiming to define a maiden JORC resource by Q3 2026 and accelerate towards production.
- Contract signed for 1,500–2,000m diamond drilling at Los Lirios
- Drilling targets high-grade antimony along 900m strike of Lirios Fault Zone
- Program marks transition from surface exploration to subsurface resource definition
- Maiden JORC resource expected in third quarter of 2026
- Parallel progress at Tecomatlán Processing Plant supports near-term production plans
Drilling Mobilisation Marks a New Chapter
EV Resources (ASX – EVR) has taken a significant step forward in its quest to become a near-term antimony producer with the mobilisation of a diamond drilling rig to its Los Lirios Antimony Project in Oaxaca, Mexico. The company has contracted Perforaciones Mineras Estrella S. de R.L. de C.V to undertake a 1,500 to 2,000-metre drill program targeting high-grade antimony mineralisation beneath historical workings along the Lirios Fault Zone.
This maiden drilling campaign is fully funded and scheduled to commence by late January 2026, marking a pivotal transition from surface exploration to subsurface resource definition. The program aims to test approximately 900 metres of strike within the broader 9-kilometre Lirios Fault Zone, focusing on shallow depths of 70 to 100 metres to rapidly assess mineralisation potential.
Strategic Targets and Geological Insights
EV Resources has refined its geological model through detailed mapping and structural analysis, identifying two key mineralisation styles – quartz-stibnite veining along the Lirios Fault Zone and sub-horizontal carbonate replacement bodies within limestone units. These targets are considered highly prospective due to their association with hydrothermal fluid pathways and structural weaknesses created by faulting and folding.
The drill program is designed to maximise structural data and sample quality, with drill orientations tailored to intersect both the main fault zone and cross-cutting structures. This approach aims to unlock the scale and tenor of antimony mineralisation, which is critical for defining a maiden JORC resource targeted for release in the third quarter of 2026.
Overcoming Assay Challenges and Preparing for Growth
While assay results from previous rock chip sampling have been delayed due to the complexities of analysing samples rich in stibnite, EV Resources has used this time to ensure the most appropriate high-grade assay methodologies are in place. This careful approach is expected to enhance the reliability of forthcoming drilling assay results.
Alongside drilling progress, the company is advancing refurbishment plans at the nearby Tecomatlán Processing Plant, which offers a low-capital pathway to production. The combined development of Los Lirios and Tecomatlán positions EV Resources to potentially deliver a high-quality antimony product that meets critical mineral demand from energy storage, battery technology, and defence sectors.
Looking Ahead
EV Resources anticipates a steady flow of updates over the coming months, including assay results from drilling and surface sampling at its Nevada projects, Dollar and Milton Canyon. The maiden drill program at Los Lirios is the first step in a broader 2026 exploration campaign aimed at expanding resource definition and advancing the company’s production strategy.
Bottom Line?
As drilling kicks off, EV Resources sets the stage for a transformative year in antimony exploration and development.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the maiden drilling confirm the high-grade antimony mineralisation anticipated beneath the Lirios Fault Zone?
- How will assay delays impact the timing and confidence of the maiden JORC resource estimate?
- What are the prospects for scaling up production leveraging the Tecomatlán Processing Plant refurbishment?
