Antares Metals Sets May Drilling at High-Grade Conglomerate Creek Prospect

Imminent Maiden Drilling at Conglomerate Creek

Antares Metals Ltd (ASX:AM5) is gearing up to test a cluster of seven high-priority geophysical anomalies at its Conglomerate Creek prospect within the Mount Isa North Copper Project. The company has scheduled a 1,000-metre Reverse Circulation (RC) drill program for late May 2026, marking the first-ever subsurface investigation of what it interprets as a buried intrusion beneath the prospect.

The Conglomerate Creek anomaly suite has been progressively de-risked through a comprehensive 12-month campaign of magnetic and gravity surveys, structural mapping, and systematic rock chip sampling. These efforts have culminated in a drill-ready target set with all heritage and land access approvals secured. Managing Director Terry Topping emphasised the significance of the upcoming drill campaign, noting that surface rock chips grading up to 21.3% copper, 1.72 g/t gold, and 506 g/t silver confirmed the geophysical indications of a substantial mineralised system.

High-Grade Surface Sampling Supports Intrusion-Related Model

Rock chip sampling at Conglomerate Creek has revealed a 220-metre-long mineralised quartz vein system northeast of the main geophysical targets, with multiple samples exceeding 1% copper. Notably, the Target 2 vein system returned standout assays including 2.77% Cu, 0.6 g/t Au, and 33.8 g/t Ag from artisanal workings, as well as 1.13% Cu, 7.4 g/t Au, and 49.6 g/t Ag from nearby veins without historical disturbance.

Another vein system, Target 5, located 330 metres northeast of the corresponding geophysical anomaly, returned similarly impressive results such as 22% Cu, 1.57 g/t Au, and 394 g/t Ag. Elevated concentrations of critical pathfinder elements like bismuth, tungsten, antimony, and selenium accompany the copper, gold, and silver mineralisation, reinforcing the case for a large-scale intrusion-related copper system.

Geophysical and Structural Insights Drive Targeting

The Conglomerate Creek prospect is characterised by a distinct 2 km by 2.5 km semi-circular intrusive feature identified in 2024 geophysical data. Structural interpretations suggest that faults and fractures associated with this intrusion control the distribution of mineralisation. The area has seen limited historical exploration, with sparse sediment and rock chip sampling, leaving the prospect largely underexplored until Antares' recent efforts.

Antares is applying modern exploration techniques to systematically evaluate this and other projects. The company’s approach at Conglomerate Creek builds on its broader strategy of unlocking mineral potential in underexplored regions near established mining hubs, as seen in its ongoing work at the Quinns Project in Western Australia. The expansion of soil geochemical targets and preparation for maiden drilling at Quinns underscores the company’s commitment to advancing multiple fronts simultaneously field campaign at Quinns.

Broader Exploration Pipeline and Next Steps

Beyond Conglomerate Creek, Antares is finalising drill targeting at its Startle and Astound prospects within Mount Isa North, where previous rock chip sampling has yielded exceptional copper and gold grades, including hits up to 27% copper. The company plans to test the depth and lateral continuity of these lodes in forthcoming drilling campaigns, complementing the maiden Conglomerate Creek program high-grade copper hits.

Meanwhile, exploration continues at the Quinns project with heritage surveys and expanded soil sampling underway as the company refines its structural understanding through comprehensive geophysical data reviews. Antares is positioning itself to deliver a steady flow of exploration news and assay results across its portfolio in the coming months.