Lode Resources has revealed significant high-grade antimony and gold mineralisation at its Rock Abbey prospect in NSW, marking a promising new chapter in its New England Antimony Project.
- Discovery of high-grade antimony up to 37.7% Sb at Rock Abbey
- Gold values detected up to 0.54 g/t Au indicating potential for gold-bearing lodes
- Antimony mineralisation extends over a 750m strike length with further assays pending
- Initial 10-15 hole RC drilling program planned post Uralla Gold Project drilling
- Rock Abbey mineralisation style analogous to Magwood Mine with shallow historic workings
Discovery Highlights
Lode Resources Ltd (ASX: LDR) has announced a significant breakthrough at its Rock Abbey prospect, located within the New England Antimony Project in New South Wales. Surface mapping and sampling have uncovered high-grade antimony mineralisation with assays reaching an impressive 37.7% antimony (Sb). Alongside this, gold values up to 0.54 grams per tonne (g/t) were recorded, suggesting the presence of gold-bearing lodes similar to those found at the nearby Hillgrove mine.
Geological Context and Significance
The Rock Abbey discovery lies just 7 kilometres southwest of the historical Magwood Antimony Mine, a site that has seen limited modern exploration despite its historical production. The mineralisation at Rock Abbey is structurally controlled within stibnite-quartz breccias, closely resembling the geology at Magwood. Notably, the historic workings at Rock Abbey are shallow, estimated at around 20 metres depth, which could facilitate rapid and cost-effective drilling and resource delineation.
Exploration Progress and Next Steps
To date, assays indicate that antimony mineralisation extends over a strike length of approximately 750 metres, with further mapping and sampling underway along a 1,700-metre corridor. Lode is planning an initial reverse circulation (RC) drilling program comprising 10 to 15 holes, scheduled to commence following the completion of drilling activities at the Uralla Gold Project. This drilling will be critical to confirming the extent and grade continuity of the mineralisation.
Strategic Alignment and Broader Portfolio
This discovery aligns well with the NSW Government’s Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy 2024–2035, underscoring the strategic importance of antimony as a critical mineral. Rock Abbey complements Lode’s broader portfolio, which includes the Montezuma Silver-Antimony Project in Tasmania and the Uralla Gold Project in NSW. The company’s focus on underexplored, high-potential assets in the New England Fold Belt positions it as a key player in Australia’s critical minerals landscape.
Looking Ahead
While the grab samples provide encouraging early signs, they are selective and qualitative by nature. The upcoming drilling campaign will be pivotal in defining a resource and assessing the commercial viability of the Rock Abbey prospect. Investors and analysts will be watching closely as Lode advances its exploration programs, potentially unlocking a new high-grade antimony and gold resource in a historically underexplored region.
Bottom Line?
Rock Abbey’s high-grade discovery could soon reshape Lode’s critical minerals outlook pending drilling results.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming drilling confirm the continuity and scale of the high-grade antimony mineralisation?
- How might the gold mineralisation at Rock Abbey influence the project’s overall economic potential?
- What impact will this discovery have on Lode’s capital allocation and project prioritisation?