Tivan Limited has initiated its 2026 exploration drilling program in central Australia targeting tungsten and fluorite mineralisation at the Molyhil and Sandover projects following regulatory and cultural heritage clearances.
- Commencement of 13 drillholes at Molyhil Tungsten Project targeting new mineralisation zones
- 58 reverse circulation drillholes planned at Sandover Fluorite Project focusing on high-grade fluorite
- Environmental Mining Licence and cultural heritage approvals secured enabling ground-disturbing activities
- Scoping Study for Molyhil tungsten mining operation due by end of April 2026
- Phase Two fieldworks planned for second half of 2026 including further drilling and metallurgical studies
Drilling Program Initiation at Molyhil Tungsten Project
Tivan Limited (ASX:TVN) has mobilised personnel and equipment to central Australia to commence its 2026 fieldworks, starting with a drilling program at the Molyhil Tungsten Project. This follows the recent grant of an Environmental (Mining) Licence (MXP1290-01) by the Northern Territory Department of Lands, Planning and Environment, which authorises ground-disturbing activities. The licence conditions included a security payment of $116,729, reflecting historical site disturbances from previous operators as required under Northern Territory regulations.
The drilling program at Molyhil will comprise 13 drillholes totalling approximately 1,950 metres across four high-priority tungsten targets identified through historic geophysical surveys and a detailed ground gravity survey completed in late 2023. These targets lie outside the existing Mineral Resource, which currently stands at 4.647 million tonnes at 0.26% WO3 and 0.09% molybdenum, equating to 12,100 tonnes of tungsten trioxide and 4,400 tonnes of molybdenum, based on a 0.05% WO3 cut-off grade. Assay results from this drilling phase are expected by June 2026 and aim to enhance understanding of the project's prospectivity and potential resource expansion amid a backdrop of historically high tungsten prices.
Advancing Fluorite Exploration at Sandover Project
Following completion of the Molyhil drilling program within April, Tivan’s fieldworks will shift focus to the adjacent Sandover Fluorite Project. This phase will involve 58 reverse circulation drillholes totalling 6,405 metres targeting high-grade fluorite mineralisation. The program builds on ultra high-grade fluorite intersections reported from late 2025, including a notable 3.4 metres at 71.7% CaF2 from 36.8 metres depth. Regulatory and cultural heritage approvals for this drilling have been secured from the Northern Territory Government and the Central Land Council, respectively.
Concurrent geophysical surveys at both Molyhil and Sandover are ongoing to support exploration targeting and future drilling planning. The Sandover Project also includes manganese-barite gossan mineralisation discovered in late 2025, with plans for further drilling in the second half of 2026.
Planning for Phase Two Fieldworks and Project Development
Tivan is preparing for Phase Two fieldworks scheduled for the second half of 2026. At Molyhil, these activities will encompass resource definition drilling, metallurgical testwork, and geotechnical and hydrogeological assessments to support mine planning. At Sandover, Phase Two will include drilling of the manganese-barite gossan zone, known as Walshy’s Wall. Progression of these activities depends on securing additional approvals from the Northern Territory Government and the Central Land Council, with updates to shareholders promised as developments occur.
Executive Chairman Grant Wilson expressed optimism about the program, noting the extensive planning and recent wet season had delayed commencement but that the team was eager to advance exploration. He highlighted the importance of the tungsten drilling at Molyhil as a key component of Phase One and anticipated sharing the results of the Molyhil Scoping Study by the end of April.
Broader Fluorite Sector Developments
Tivan’s fluorite exploration at Sandover occurs amid broader sector activity, including the Speewah Fluorite Project, where recent equity injections and strategic backing have supported feasibility studies for acid-grade fluorspar production. This context underscores the growing interest in fluorite as a critical mineral, with projects like Speewah advancing alongside Tivan’s efforts. Notably, the Speewah project has received a $5 million equity boost from joint venture partners to progress its Definitive Feasibility Study, reflecting strong market interest in fluorite resources in Australia.
Bottom Line?
Tivan’s 2026 drilling campaign marks a critical step in advancing its tungsten and fluorite projects, with assay results and the upcoming Molyhil Scoping Study poised to provide clearer insights into resource potential and development pathways.
Questions in the middle?
- How will assay results from the Molyhil drilling influence the scope and timeline of the planned mining operation?
- What are the key regulatory or environmental hurdles anticipated for Phase Two fieldworks at both Molyhil and Sandover?
- How might fluctuations in tungsten and fluorite market prices impact Tivan’s project development and investment decisions?