3D Gravity Model Reveals New Expansion Targets at Mount Ridley

Gravity Inversion Validates and Expands Mineralised System

Mount Ridley Mines Ltd (ASX:MRD) has unveiled a comprehensive 3D gravity inversion study that not only confirms the robustness of its existing rare earth element (REE), scandium (Sc), and gallium (Ga) resource model but also highlights significant exploration upside at its Mt Ridley Project in Western Australia. The modelling, completed by Core Geophysics, identifies a major gravity anomaly exceeding 35 mGal that coincides with the current mineral resource footprint and remains open along strike to the south and northeast, suggesting a much larger mineralised system than previously delineated.

Mount Ridley’s Managing Director Allister Caird emphasised the value of these results, noting that the strong correlation between gravity highs and mineralisation provides a clear targeting framework for future drilling. With over 30 kilometres of strike already mapped, the company sees this as a material step forward in understanding the scale and continuity of the system, especially given that much of the mineralisation remains untested at depth.

Two Major Mineralised Trends with Immediate Drill Targets

The gravity modelling delineates two principal mineralised corridors: a western trend that hosts the bulk of known resources and an eastern trend that remains largely untested. Both trends exhibit strong spatial alignment with gravity ridges interpreted to represent dense mafic to gabbroic basement lithologies, which are believed to control REE and Sc enrichment. Notably, the western trend is generally shallower, with fresh rock encountered at approximately 70 to 80 metres depth, supporting potential low-strip ratio resource growth.

Block-specific analyses reinforce this framework. Block 1 reveals a central mineralised corridor with a parallel eastern trend that has yet to be drilled, while Block 2’s higher-resolution gravity data outlines more discrete targets, including a significant eastern trend that aligns with elevated REE and critical mineral values from reconnaissance drilling along existing roads. These findings set the stage for a targeted drilling program aimed at testing these untested anomalies and expanding the mineralised footprint.

Untested Depth and Strike Present Compelling Upside

Historical drilling at Mt Ridley has predominantly been shallow, often not penetrating beyond the transported overburden, leaving much of the gravity anomalies untested at depth. This gap in drilling coverage presents a compelling opportunity to grow resources both vertically and laterally. The modelling supports the interpretation that the thickened mafic sequence forming the core gravity anomaly is the structural spine of the project, with district-scale potential.

Encouragingly, reconnaissance drilling along accessible tracks has already intersected anomalous heavy rare earths, gallium, and scandium beyond current resource boundaries, providing early evidence of mineralisation continuity. These results complement recent resource announcements, such as the 122.5 million tonnes inferred rare earth oxide resource at 889 ppm TREO and 367.9 million tonnes at 57.3 ppm scandium, underscoring the project’s critical minerals credentials and growth potential. The latest gravity findings build on this foundation, sharpening the focus for upcoming exploration activities.

Strategic Next Steps and Exploration Plans

Mount Ridley plans to leverage these insights with a follow-up drilling campaign in 2026, prioritising the newly identified gravity targets in Blocks 1 and 2. Additional geophysical surveys are also slated to refine the resolution of subsurface features and integrate geological and geochemical datasets for more effective targeting. This approach aligns with the company’s broader strategy to expand its critical minerals resource base and advance its multi-element development pathway.

The Mt Ridley Project’s proximity to the deep-water port of Esperance and its substantial inferred resources position the company well in the critical minerals supply chain, particularly for heavy rare earths, scandium, and gallium. As the market increasingly values secure, diversified sources of these elements, the project’s district-scale potential highlighted by this gravity modelling could prove pivotal.

These developments come on the heels of recent resource milestones and leadership changes that have bolstered the company’s momentum. The integration of geophysical modelling with historical and ongoing drilling programs reflects a maturing exploration strategy aiming to unlock the full value of the Mt Ridley asset. Investors will be watching closely as the company moves toward testing these promising new targets and refining its resource estimates.

Mount Ridley’s latest findings underscore the importance of geophysical techniques in unlocking hidden potential within established mineral provinces, a theme increasingly evident across Australia’s critical minerals sector. The challenge now lies in converting these compelling geophysical signatures into economically viable mineral deposits through disciplined exploration and development.

Major inferred mineral resource and resource expansion with re-assay efforts have set a strong foundation, with gravity modelling now providing a sharper lens on where the next phase of growth may emerge.