Argent Minerals Kicks Off 2026 Drilling at Kempfield Targeting Resource Growth

Exploration Campaign Underway

Argent Minerals Limited (ASX – ARD) has officially commenced its 2026 diamond drilling program at the Kempfield Silver-Polymetallic Project in New South Wales. This campaign marks a critical phase in the company’s exploration strategy, focusing on testing multiple high-priority targets across the project’s extensive mineralised zones.

The drilling program is designed to deliver approximately 1,880 metres of diamond drilling through 10 planned holes. These will probe extensions of known mineralisation within the MRE (Mineral Resource Estimate) zones; specifically Lodes 100, 200, and 300; as well as newly identified VTEM geophysical anomalies and the Gap Prospect corridor. The goal is to confirm and expand the footprint of silver, lead, zinc, gold, and copper mineralisation.

Strategic Focus on Resource Extensions

Each target area carries distinct exploration potential. Lode 100 drilling aims to infill sparse historical data and extend high-grade silver-lead-zinc zones. Lode 200 targets newly discovered silver mineralisation at depth, which was previously underexplored due to shallow drilling limits. Lode 300 focuses on deep down-plunge extensions beyond the current resource envelope, potentially adding high-grade ounces to the resource base.

Meanwhile, the VTEM zones represent promising blind sulphide-rich systems that could reveal new mineralised bodies along the Kempfield trend. The Gap Prospect, a 750-metre sparsely drilled corridor between Lodes 100 and 300, is a priority target for discovering continuous polymetallic mineralisation, which could significantly enhance the project’s scale.

Kempfield’s Significance and Outlook

Kempfield remains Argent Minerals’ flagship asset, boasting Australia’s second largest undeveloped silver deposit with a substantial resource of 63.7 million tonnes at 69.75 grams per tonne silver equivalent, containing 65.8 million ounces of silver and significant quantities of gold, lead, and zinc. The project’s location in the prolific Lachlan Orogen near Orange, NSW, places it in a renowned mining district with established infrastructure and mining expertise.

Managing Director Pedro Kastellorizos emphasised the company’s commitment to resource growth and value creation, noting that 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for silver markets and for Argent’s exploration efforts. The recent discovery of a new high-grade silver lode outside the existing resource base sets a positive tone for the drilling campaign, with expectations of multiple news catalysts throughout the year.

Looking Ahead

This drilling phase is a key step in de-risking resource growth pathways and enhancing the long-term economic potential of the Kempfield Project. While assay results and resource updates are pending, the campaign’s success could materially impact Argent Minerals’ valuation and development plans. Investors and analysts will be watching closely for assay results and any indications of resource expansion or new discoveries.