Ragusa Minerals has significantly expanded its Purple Pansy Manganese-Gold Project in Arizona by acquiring 201 additional tenements, enhancing its strategic landholding and exploration potential in a critical minerals hotspot.
- 201 new tenements staked, expanding project to ~4,142 acres
- Claims cover historically significant gold and manganese mining sites
- Plans include drilling, metallurgical testing, and environmental studies
- Progressing acquisition of 60% controlling interest in Pegasus Tel, Inc.
- Project positioned to benefit from U.S. critical minerals initiatives
Strategic Expansion in Arizona
Ragusa Minerals Limited (ASX, RAS) has taken a decisive step to bolster its footprint in the U.S. critical minerals sector by staking an additional 201 tenements around its Purple Pansy Manganese-Gold Project in Arizona. This expansion increases the total landholding to approximately 4,142 acres, encompassing some of the most promising historical mining sites in the region.
The newly acquired claims strategically surround the original Purple Pansy Project and include notable historical sites such as Valley View, Pansy, Pump, and Black Bart. These locations form part of a district-scale manganese and gold system that Ragusa aims to explore with modern techniques, potentially unlocking new discoveries.
Exploration and Development Plans
Ragusa has outlined a comprehensive work program that includes evaluating historical data, conducting field inspections, drilling and sampling to confirm mineralisation, and metallurgical testing to assess recovery potential. Environmental baseline studies and permitting efforts aligned with U.S. standards are also planned, reflecting the company’s commitment to responsible development.
These activities are designed to delineate the correlations between historical workings across a 9-kilometre zone, enhancing the understanding of the district’s geology and increasing the project’s development optionality.
Corporate and Strategic Positioning
Alongside the land expansion, Ragusa is progressing a transaction to acquire a 60.09% controlling interest in Pegasus Tel, Inc. (OTC, PTEL), which holds 100% interest in the Purple Pansy Project. Completion of this deal is anticipated in February 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
The company has also forged a strategic partnership with Red Beryl Mining Company, which will provide investor relations support and assist in implementing a district-scale staking and development strategy within Arizona’s critical and precious minerals corridor.
Capitalising on U.S. Critical Minerals Initiatives
The Purple Pansy Project is well positioned to benefit from the U.S. government’s focus on critical minerals, particularly manganese, which is vital for energy and defence sectors. The United States currently imports all its manganese, underscoring the strategic importance of domestic sources.
Federal initiatives such as the FAST-41 permitting process and funding grants aim to accelerate projects like Purple Pansy. The proximity to the Wenden Manganese Stockpile and parallels with South 32’s government-supported Hermosa Project highlight the district’s national significance.
Ragusa’s Chair, Jerko Zuvela, emphasised the company’s confidence in the project’s growth prospects and its potential to create long-term shareholder value through focused exploration and development.
Bottom Line?
With expanded landholdings and strategic partnerships, Ragusa is poised to advance Purple Pansy as a key U.S. critical minerals asset amid growing national demand.
Questions in the middle?
- When will Ragusa complete the Pegasus Tel acquisition and how will it impact project control?
- What initial exploration results can investors expect from the expanded tenements?
- How will U.S. government policies and funding influence the project’s development timeline?