Silver Assays Hit 211 g/t at Stelar’s Baratta Copper-Silver Prospect
Stelar Metals has reported impressive high-grade silver assays up to 211 g/t at its Baratta Copper Project in South Australia, highlighting the project's potential as a significant copper-silver resource.
- High-grade silver assays up to 211 g/t at Lone Pine Prospect
- Silver grades up to 38 g/t found at Baratta Copper Mine Prospect
- Geological setting analogous to Central African Copper Belt and Kupferschiefer deposits
- Silver identified as a valuable byproduct enhancing economic potential
- Further exploration and mineralogical studies planned to expand understanding
High-Grade Silver Discovery at Baratta
Stelar Metals Limited (ASX – SLB) has revealed promising high-grade silver assay results from its 100%-owned Baratta Copper Project in South Australia. Rock chip samples collected in 2024 at the Lone Pine Prospect returned silver grades as high as 211 grams per tonne (g/t), with several samples exceeding two ounces of silver per tonne. This discovery marks a significant milestone for the project, which has historically been known for copper mineralisation but is now showing strong silver potential.
The Lone Pine Prospect lies approximately 7.5 kilometres west of the historic Baratta Copper Mine, situated on the western flank of the Bibliando Dome. The geological mapping conducted by Stelar indicates that Lone Pine shares a similar stratigraphy and structural setting with Baratta, featuring stacked silver and copper-rich gossans extending over a 400-metre strike length. These findings suggest a robust sediment-hosted stratabound copper-silver system, which is a globally important source of copper and often enriched with silver.
Geological Analogues and Economic Implications
The Baratta Project's geological characteristics bear resemblance to two major global copper-silver provinces – the Central African Copper Belt and the Central European Kupferschiefer deposits. The latter is particularly notable for its silver-rich nature, with average silver grades ranging from 30 to 80 g/t and localised zones exceeding 100 g/t. Stelar's recent assays, including silver grades up to 38 g/t at the Baratta Copper Mine Prospect, align well with these analogues, reinforcing the project's potential to host economically significant silver alongside copper.
Silver’s role as a byproduct in sediment-hosted copper deposits can substantially enhance project economics, especially given the recent surge in silver demand and prices. The presence of high-grade silver zones at both Lone Pine and Baratta prospects indicates strong copper-silver fluid flow within a mature reduced basinal system, which could translate into a valuable revenue stream beyond copper alone.
Next Steps in Exploration
Encouraged by these results, Stelar Metals is planning to intensify its exploration efforts at Baratta. This includes extending geological mapping and rock chip sampling, with a particular focus on the Lone Pine area to better delineate the silver mineralisation. Mineralogical studies are also underway to understand the distribution and style of silver minerals, which will be critical in assessing the deposit’s economic viability.
While the current results stem from reconnaissance rock chip sampling with limited surface exposure, they provide a compelling case for further detailed exploration, including drilling. The company’s strategic focus on sediment-hosted copper-silver systems positions it well to capitalise on the growing demand for critical minerals essential to the global energy transition.
Bottom Line?
Stelar Metals’ high-grade silver findings at Baratta could redefine the project’s value, setting the stage for a new phase of exploration and potential resource growth.
Questions in the middle?
- How extensive is the high-grade silver mineralisation beyond the initial rock chip samples?
- What are the next timelines and targets for drilling to confirm resource potential?
- How might silver byproduct credits impact the overall economics of the Baratta Project?
