Australian Critical Minerals has declared its Flint gold-silver project in Peru drill-ready, unveiling a comprehensive technical review and securing permits for an initial diamond drilling program this quarter.
- Flint project identified as a large high-sulphidation epithermal gold-silver system
- Strike length of mineralised system extends approximately 4 kilometres
- Initial drilling program of four diamond holes planned for 1850 metres total
- Permits and surface access agreements secured for northern project area
- Geophysical surveys (NSAMT and IP) integrated with historic geochemistry to define targets
Flint Project Overview
Australian Critical Minerals Ltd (ASX – ACM) has reached a pivotal milestone with its Flint gold-silver project located in northern Peru’s La Libertad region. The project, covering 2,200 hectares about 80 kilometres east of the city of Trujillo, lies within one of the world’s most prolific epithermal gold-silver belts, boasting a historical gold inventory exceeding 50 million ounces. This context underscores the potential scale and significance of the Flint system.
The company’s recent comprehensive technical review combined new NSAMT (Natural Source Audio-frequency Magnetotellurics) geophysical data with historic induced polarisation (IP) surveys, surface geochemistry, and geological mapping. This integrated approach has delineated a large, continuous resistive body interpreted as the silicified core of a high-sulphidation epithermal (HSE) system, extending over a strike length of approximately four kilometres.
Geophysical and Geochemical Insights
The NSAMT survey, covering 26.5 line kilometres, revealed several resistive anomalies with strong vertical continuity from 100 to over 300 metres depth. These anomalies correlate closely with historic surface rock samples showing a halo of pathfinder elements such as arsenic and tellurium, which are characteristic of HSE deposits. The geophysical data notably expands the exploration footprint beyond previous IP survey limits and refines multiple high-priority drill targets.
Historic surface geochemistry and alteration mapping further support the presence of a significant mineralised system. The resistive zones identified are interpreted as silicified cores, which are typical hosts for gold and silver mineralisation in epithermal systems. This multi-disciplinary data convergence provides a compelling rationale for advancing to drilling.
Drill Readiness and Next Steps
Australian Critical Minerals has secured all necessary regulatory approvals and surface access agreements for the northern portion of the Flint project, specifically within the Gaya 103 concession. The company plans to commence an initial diamond drilling program this quarter, comprising four priority holes totalling approximately 1850 metres. The drill pads are strategically positioned to intersect the core resistive zones identified by the NSAMT survey, maximising the likelihood of encountering mineralised structures.
Environmental permitting for the southern concessions is progressing, indicating a staged approach to exploration expansion. The southern sector, less explored to date, also hosts significant NSAMT anomalies and will be subject to further IP surveys and geological mapping to define additional drill targets.
Strategic Implications
Executive Chairman Dean de Largie emphasised the importance of the Flint project’s location within a highly endowed epithermal gold-silver province and the readiness to advance exploration with funding secured. The integration of advanced geophysical techniques with historic data exemplifies a disciplined exploration strategy aimed at unlocking district-scale potential.
This drill-ready status marks a critical juncture for Australian Critical Minerals as it moves from data compilation and target generation to testing the subsurface mineralisation directly. The results of the upcoming drilling program will be closely watched by investors and industry observers for indications of resource potential and project viability.
Bottom Line?
With drilling imminent, Australian Critical Minerals is poised to transform geophysical promise into tangible mineral discovery at Flint.
Questions in the middle?
- What assay results will the initial diamond drilling program yield regarding grade and continuity?
- How will environmental approvals progress for the southern concessions and impact exploration timelines?
- Could further geophysical surveys in the southern sector reveal additional high-priority targets?