Critical Resources Confirms High-Grade Gold-Antimony System at Croesus Project

High-Grade Gold-Antimony Confirmed at Croesus

Critical Resources Limited (ASX:CRR) has delivered compelling early evidence of a high-grade gold-antimony system at its Croesus Project in New Zealand’s Reefton Goldfield. Reconnaissance sampling returned standout assays including 13.3 g/t gold and 6,990 ppm antimony from historic ore-spillage material, while in-situ bedrock samples confirmed anomalous gold mineralisation with assays up to 1.58 g/t. These findings validate the company’s exploration model of structurally controlled gold-antimony mineralisation hosted in Greenland Group metasedimentary rocks.

Historic Ore-Spillage Highlights System Potential

The strongest gold results emerged from ex-situ historic ore-spillage samples, interpreted as remnants of past mining and ore handling activities. Sample A1479, described as quartz with sulphides and stibnite, delivered 13.3 g/t gold and 2,240 ppm antimony, while sample A1482 recorded 1.61 g/t gold and an impressive 6,990 ppm antimony. Although these samples do not represent in-situ grade or continuity, they provide crucial vectors for exploration, pointing towards the source mineralisation along the Croesus-Minerva trend.

In-Situ Bedrock Sampling Supports Exploration Model

Crucially, in-situ bedrock sampling at the project confirmed the presence of gold mineralisation within quartz-carbonate stockwork veins in heavily altered Greenland Group rocks. Sample A1483 returned 1.58 g/t gold and 21 ppm antimony, demonstrating that gold is not confined to displaced historic material but remains in the bedrock. This supports follow-up work focusing on structurally controlled quartz-sulphide veining and stockwork development to delineate source structures and test mineralisation continuity.

Strategic Location in Reefton Goldfield

The Croesus Project lies on the southwestern flank of the Reefton Goldfield, a historically prolific region with approximately two million ounces of gold produced from orogenic quartz-vein systems. The project neighbours Rua Gold Inc’s (TSX:RUA) Reefton Project and Endura Mining’s Snowy River Project, the latter currently under construction about 20 km away. This proximity situates Croesus within a significant gold and critical minerals corridor.

Critical Minerals Context and Tungsten Target

Antimony, a critical mineral designated by Australia, the US, and the EU, has seen price surges due to supply constraints and Chinese export controls introduced in 2024. The New Zealand Government also recognises gold and antimony in the Reefton Goldfield as a critical minerals focus. Tungsten, another critical mineral with soaring prices following China’s 2025 export controls, features at the company’s separate Granite Creek target within the Barrytown Granite. Tungsten assay results are pending and will be reported separately, potentially complementing the gold-antimony findings.

Next Steps Focus on Mapping and Sampling

Critical Resources plans a targeted follow-up campaign at Croesus, including detailed geological and structural mapping, systematic in-situ rock-chip and channel sampling, and geochemical integration of gold, antimony, arsenic, and other pathfinder elements. The company aims to rank targets for potential trenching or drilling, subject to access and approvals. This approach seeks to refine understanding of the mineralised structures along the Croesus-Minerva trend and advance the project’s exploration maturity.

Broader New Zealand Portfolio Developments

Alongside Croesus, Critical Resources is progressing other New Zealand assets, including the Cap Burn/Rock and Pillar gold projects where recent drilling confirmed structurally controlled gold mineralisation consistent with regional discovery models. Soil geochemistry and desktop reviews continue at Silver Peaks and Tokomairiro, reflecting a diversified strategy across critical metals and gold in the region.