Pantera Minerals has completed its inaugural modern geochemical sampling program at the Gilham Silver-Antimony Project in Arkansas, uncovering new geological insights and setting the stage for drilling. The company maintains a disciplined capital approach amid rising silver prices.
- Completion of first modern rock and soil sampling at Gilham Project
- Identification of several previously undocumented historic mines
- 1,455 samples collected across ~5,000 acres in southwest Arkansas
- Assay results expected in six weeks to guide drilling plans
- Capital discipline maintained using existing cash and EnergyX payments
Breaking New Ground at Gilham
Pantera Minerals Limited (ASX, PFE) has marked a significant milestone with the completion of the first modern rock and soil geochemical exploration program at its Gilham Silver-Antimony Project in southwest Arkansas, USA. Covering approximately 5,000 acres across the East and West Gilham areas, the program involved the collection of 1,408 soil samples and 47 rock samples, systematically targeting priority structural zones including a 5-kilometre corridor hosting the historic Davis silver-base metal mine.
Unearthing New Geological Insights
Beyond revisiting known historic workings, Pantera’s field teams identified several previously undocumented mines and workings, materially enhancing the geological understanding of this historically mined district. The Gilham region, once home to over 18 antimony and silver mines active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, had never before seen such systematic modern exploration. This first-mover advantage positions Pantera well to unlock the district’s multi-commodity potential, particularly in a critical minerals jurisdiction increasingly important to US supply chains.
Strategic Timing Amid Rising Silver Prices
The timing of this exploration campaign is notable. Since Pantera secured the Gilham Project, silver prices have surged by more than 140%, currently trading around US$81 per ounce. This price strength underscores the potential value of the project’s silver and antimony resources. Pantera’s Executive Chairman and CEO, Barnaby Egerton-Warburton, highlighted the encouraging geological observations and the strategic importance of advancing Gilham as a critical minerals asset.
Next Steps and Capital Discipline
All collected samples have been dispatched to accredited laboratories, with assay results expected within approximately six weeks. These results will be pivotal in refining priority targets and planning the initial drilling program, which will explore the district at depth and along strike beyond the shallow historic workings. Importantly, Pantera emphasises capital discipline, advancing exploration within existing cash reserves and scheduled payments from EnergyX, thereby preserving balance sheet strength while maintaining momentum.
A Rare Opportunity in a Historic District
The Gilham Project’s legacy of high-grade but shallow mining, combined with the absence of modern geophysical or drilling campaigns, offers a rare opportunity to evaluate mineralisation in a fresh light. The project’s structurally controlled quartz-vein antimony-silver-base metal system, hosted within Palaeozoic sandstones and shales, remains largely untested at depth. Pantera’s systematic approach could reveal extensions and new zones of mineralisation, potentially transforming the historic district into a modern critical minerals hub.
Bottom Line?
With assay results imminent, Pantera’s disciplined exploration at Gilham could unlock significant value in a rising silver market.
Questions in the middle?
- What will the assay results reveal about the grade and extent of mineralisation?
- How soon will Pantera commence drilling, and what scale will the initial program have?
- Could Pantera expand its footprint or acquire additional US critical minerals projects following Gilham?