Hawk Resources Launches Drilling at Cactus, Eyes Scandium Breakthrough at Olympus
Hawk Resources has kicked off drilling at its Cactus copper-gold project in Utah, targeting a significant geophysical anomaly extension, while advancing access negotiations for its promising Olympus scandium project in Western Australia.
- Drilling commenced on 600m extension at Cactus copper-gold project
- Second, larger Wasp geophysical anomaly to be tested after Cactus
- All permits secured for planned drill holes at Cactus targets
- Access negotiations underway with Ngaanyatjarra Council for Olympus scandium exploration
- Significant scandium soil anomalies identified at Olympus, with historic intercepts up to 11m @ 934ppm Sc
Drilling Underway at Cactus Copper-Gold Project
Hawk Resources Limited (ASX, HWK) has commenced drilling at its flagship Cactus copper-gold project in Utah, USA, marking a pivotal step in its exploration campaign. The initial focus is on testing a 600-metre extension of a geophysical anomaly associated with the historic Cactus deposit, which previously yielded high-grade copper and gold mineralisation. This drilling aims to delineate residual mineralisation that could add significant value to the project.
The company plans to follow up with drilling at the nearby Wasp target, a substantially larger geophysical anomaly measuring 675m by 410m by 310m. Located just 200 metres northeast of the Cactus target, Wasp remains undrilled and presents an exciting opportunity for a new discovery along the same mineralised trend.
Permits Secured and Exploration Strategy
Hawk has secured all necessary permits for drilling at multiple targets within the Cactus project area, including Copperpolis, CZ-1, New Years West, and N-1. These targets are supported by geophysical anomalies and anomalous copper soil geochemistry, reinforcing their potential. The company’s exploration approach integrates soil sampling, geological mapping, and advanced geophysical modelling to prioritise drill targets.
Portable XRF analyses are being conducted on drill core to provide rapid insights into copper mineralisation ahead of formal laboratory assays expected by mid to late March 2026. This real-time data will help refine drilling and sampling strategies as the program progresses.
Advancing Olympus Scandium Project Access
Parallel to its US drilling activities, Hawk is advancing exploration preparations at the Olympus scandium project in Western Australia’s West Musgrave region. The company has initiated access negotiations with the Ngaanyatjarra Council, a critical step towards securing a Native Title Agreement and conducting a Cultural Heritage Survey. These are prerequisites for exploration on traditional lands and reflect Hawk’s commitment to responsible and respectful engagement with Indigenous stakeholders.
Olympus hosts a significant scandium soil anomaly spanning 7km by 4km, with historic shallow drilling intercepts showing scandium grades up to 934ppm over 11 metres. While these results are based on preliminary portable XRF data and require laboratory confirmation, they highlight the project’s potential to become a new scandium province; a metal increasingly critical for clean energy technologies.
Broader Portfolio and Financial Position
Beyond Cactus and Olympus, Hawk maintains a portfolio of lithium projects in Brazil, with recent tenement reviews leading to selective relinquishments and retention of key licences. The company reported a cash balance of approximately A$4.56 million at the end of December 2025, supported by recent equity financing, positioning it well to fund ongoing exploration activities.
Managing Director Scott Caithness, a seasoned exploration leader, emphasised the dual focus on near-term copper catalysts at Cactus and strategic critical minerals exposure through Olympus and lithium assets. This diversified approach aims to capture value across multiple commodities aligned with global demand trends.
Bottom Line?
As Hawk Resources drills deeper at Cactus and navigates Indigenous approvals at Olympus, the coming months will be critical in defining the company’s growth trajectory in copper and scandium.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the Cactus drilling confirm extensions of high-grade copper-gold mineralisation?
- How smoothly will Hawk navigate the Native Title Agreement and cultural heritage processes at Olympus?
- What impact will the tenement adjustments in Brazil have on Hawk’s lithium exploration strategy?
