Sky Metals has expanded the known mineralised strike at its Doradilla Tin Project to over 10 kilometres, revealing high-grade tin-polymetallic results that significantly surpass previous targets and set the stage for a major drilling campaign.
- Doradilla mineralised strike extended from 2.5km to over 10km
- Rock-chip sample assays 3.10% tin with lead, copper, zinc, and indium
- Metallurgical testwork shows ~78% tin recovery using new flowsheet
- Exploration Target previously limited to a fraction of the new strike length
- Drilling planned to confirm high-grade zones and test extensions
Expanding the Tin Frontier at Doradilla
Sky Metals Limited (ASX – SKY) has announced a significant breakthrough at its Doradilla Tin Project in north-western New South Wales, with new rock-chip sampling results extending the known mineralised strike length from a modest 2.5 kilometres to over 10 kilometres. This fourfold increase in strike length dramatically reshapes the scale of the project, suggesting a much larger tin-polymetallic system than previously recognised.
The standout rock-chip sample, collected near the historical Wednesday Shaft, returned an impressive 3.10% tin, accompanied by notable concentrations of lead (3.03%), copper (0.33%), zinc (0.27%), and indium (159ppm). These polymetallic grades not only confirm the presence of high-grade mineralisation at surface but also hint at the potential for a robust multi-metal development opportunity.
From Exploration Target to Development Prospect
Prior to this announcement, Sky Metals had defined an Exploration Target over just 2.5 kilometres of the mineralised corridor, estimating a tonnage range of 0.32 to 0.42 million tonnes at tin grades between 10% and 15%. The newly extended strike length, which remains open in all directions, suggests that the total mineralised system could be substantially larger, although it remains conceptual pending further drilling.
Adding to the project's appeal, metallurgical testwork completed last year demonstrated approximately 78% tin recovery into a saleable concentrate using Sky Metals’ updated processing flowsheet. This strong recovery rate underscores the project's development potential and aligns well with the company’s flagship Tallebung Tin Project, positioning Doradilla as a complementary asset within Sky Metals’ portfolio.
Next Steps – Drilling and Resource Definition
Sky Metals is now preparing a targeted drilling program aimed at confirming historical high-grade intersections and systematically testing the newly identified extensions along the 10-kilometre corridor. Previous drilling at Doradilla has already returned encouraging results, including an 11-metre intercept grading 1.04% tin, with a higher-grade 5-metre section at 1.65% tin.
The upcoming drilling campaign will be critical in converting the expanded Exploration Target into a formal Mineral Resource estimate, while also enabling metallurgical optimisation and advancing broader development studies. The company’s Managing Director and CEO, Oliver Davies, highlighted the significance of these findings, noting that Doradilla is rapidly emerging as a highly attractive second tin development opportunity alongside Tallebung.
Strategic Implications in a Tightening Tin Market
With global demand for tin, silver, and indium strengthening, driven by their essential roles in semiconductors, electronics, and renewable energy technologies, the expansion of Doradilla’s mineralised footprint could not be more timely. Sky Metals’ ability to leverage strong metallurgical performance and a growing resource base positions it well to meet future supply challenges in the tin market.
As the company advances its exploration and development plans, investors will be watching closely to see how Doradilla’s potential unfolds and how it complements the near-term development prospects at Tallebung.
Bottom Line?
Doradilla’s expanded strike length and high-grade results set the stage for a pivotal drilling campaign that could redefine Sky Metals’ tin production profile.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the upcoming drilling results impact the size and grade of the Doradilla Mineral Resource?
- What are the timelines and capital requirements for advancing Doradilla towards production?
- How might Doradilla’s development influence Sky Metals’ strategic positioning in the global tin market?