Tin Price Surge Raises Stakes for Heavy Rare Earths’ South Ridge Drilling Campaign

South Ridge Drilling Campaign Takes Shape

Heavy Rare Earths Limited (ASX – HRE) is advancing plans for its maiden drilling program at the South Ridge tin prospect, part of the Prospect Hill Project in South Australia. The company aims to drill up to 2,500 metres in early Q2 2026, comprising approximately 20 Reverse Circulation (RC) holes and 4 diamond drill holes. This campaign marks a significant step in unlocking the potential of South Australia’s largest known tin project.

Located within the Curnamona Craton, the Prospect Hill Project covers 75 square kilometres of highly prospective ground. South Ridge, the project’s most advanced prospect, has already demonstrated promising tin mineralisation from historical drilling, with high-grade intercepts such as 3 metres at 4.85% tin and 5 metres at 3.32% tin. These results underpin the company’s confidence in expanding the known mineralised zones.

Targeting a Maiden Resource Amid Strong Tin Prices

The upcoming drilling program is designed to test extensions of mineralisation along a 500-metre strike length and to depths of up to 120 metres. By combining RC and diamond drilling, Heavy Rare Earths intends to generate robust geological and metallurgical data to support a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) targeted for release in late Q2 2026.

Chairman Gabriel Chiappini highlighted the strategic timing of the program, noting tin’s strong market performance. "Tin was the best performing base metal of 2025, recently setting an all-time high price and currently trading near US$48,200 per tonne," he said. This price environment enhances the potential value of defining a high-grade tin resource at South Ridge.

Permitting and Community Engagement Progress

Preparations for drilling are well advanced, with all necessary government permits and consents either submitted or nearing submission. The company is also finalising heritage clearance in collaboration with the Dieri Traditional Owners, reflecting a respectful and cooperative approach to land access and cultural heritage.

Heavy Rare Earths’ geological team has reinterpreted historical data, identifying potential mineralisation extensions both along strike and at depth. This reinterpretation underpins the drill program’s design and the company’s optimism about expanding the resource base.

Looking Ahead

As Heavy Rare Earths mobilises its drilling rig, investors and analysts will be watching closely for assay results and the subsequent maiden resource estimate. The outcomes will be pivotal in shaping the project’s development trajectory and its role in meeting growing demand for tin, a critical metal in electronics and emerging technologies.