Olympio Metals Targets US Silver and Antimony Riches with $3M Raise

Olympio’s Strategic US Expansion

Olympio Metals Limited (ASX: OLY) has taken a significant step into the US critical minerals sector by signing a binding option agreement to acquire two promising projects: the Raven Silver Project in Montana and the Sawtooth Antimony Project in Idaho. Both assets boast historical high-grade silver and antimony production but have seen no modern exploration, presenting a rare opportunity for discovery and development.

The Raven Silver Project is particularly notable, with historical mining records showing exceptional silver grades averaging 2,084 grams per tonne (g/t) at the Raven Mine and 996 g/t at the Silver King Mine. These figures are striking in today’s market context, especially given the project’s proximity, just 45 kilometres, to an operational silver-antimony smelter in Thompson Falls, Montana. This infrastructure could provide a streamlined pathway to production if exploration proves successful.

Critical Minerals in Focus

Both silver and antimony are listed on the United States Geological Survey’s 2025 Critical Minerals List, reflecting their strategic importance to the US government’s $12 billion mineral stockpile initiative. Olympio’s move aligns with this national priority, potentially positioning the company to benefit from supportive policies and funding aimed at boosting domestic critical mineral supply chains.

The Sawtooth Antimony Project, comprising five prospects near the historic Sawtooth City mining camp, also holds promise. While historical records confirm silver and antimony occurrences, the absence of modern sampling and exploration means the project’s true potential remains largely untapped. This complements Olympio’s existing portfolio and diversifies its exposure within the critical minerals space.

Capital Raise and Vendor Confidence

To fund this expansion, Olympio has successfully completed an oversubscribed placement raising A$3 million before costs. Notably, the project vendor group, Lia Energy Holdings LLC and associates, have committed A$500,000 to the raise, signalling strong confidence in the projects’ prospects. The placement includes a two-tranche share issue and free-attaching options, subject to shareholder approval.

The acquisition terms include staged payments and performance milestones tied to drilling commencement, assay results, resource estimation, and commercial production. This structure balances risk and reward, incentivising Olympio to rapidly advance exploration while aligning vendor interests with project success.

Looking Ahead

Olympio’s Managing Director Sean Delaney emphasised the strategic rationale: “While the Bousquet Gold Project remains our focus, entering the USGS Critical Minerals space offers an exciting opportunity to develop silver and antimony prospects close to processing infrastructure.” The company is currently undertaking detailed due diligence to formulate an exploration strategy for these assets.

With no modern drilling recorded at either project, the coming months will be critical in assessing geological potential and defining resource targets. Olympio’s expansion into the US critical minerals market could mark a pivotal chapter in its growth trajectory, especially as global demand for these metals intensifies.