Stelar Metals has uncovered new tungsten mineralisation zones at its Hill of Leaders project in the Northern Territory, setting the stage for imminent assay results and drilling campaigns.
- Additional tungsten sites found in Phase 2 fieldwork
- Mineralised quartz vein corridors extend over 2km
- Phase 1 assay results expected imminently
- RC drilling planned for late July 2026
- Project covers 445km² with no prior bedrock drilling
New Tungsten Zones Discovered at Hill of Leaders
Stelar Metals (ASX:SLB) has revealed fresh tungsten mineralisation at its Hill of Leaders Tungsten Project in the Northern Territory following its Phase 2 field program. The latest exploration identified multiple new sites hosting wolframite and scheelite within quartz vein systems that stretch over 2 kilometres and span widths of approximately 200 metres. This expands the footprint of the tungsten field beyond the initial Phase 1 findings, which already showed promising surface grades including up to 6.1% WO₃ in rock chip samples.
Mineralisation Details and Geological Setting
The tungsten mineralisation occurs predominantly within multiple stacked quartz veins and alteration zones hosted by the Hill of Leaders Granite, a coarse-grained, multiphase intrusion. Scheelite, notable for its bright fluorescence under UV light, and wolframite have been observed not only in veins but also in the surrounding altered granites, suggesting a potentially extensive mineralised halo. This could be significant if confirmed by assays, as it might indicate a broader zone of economic mineralisation beyond the high-grade veins themselves.
Alongside tungsten, copper minerals such as malachite and chalcocite were detected in some workings, highlighting a zonation pattern within the system that warrants further investigation. The structural geology shows dominant WNW-trending vein sets dipping steeply north-northeast, with some N-S oriented workings paralleling local sedimentary bedding; patterns comparable to the nearby Hatches Creek tungsten field (ASX:TGN).
Upcoming Assays and Drilling Campaigns
Stelar is poised to release Phase 1 assay results imminently, with Phase 2 laboratory analyses expected in the coming weeks. These results will be critical to validate the visual mineral estimates and surface sampling. Following this, the company targets commencing a Phase 1 Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling program in late July 2026, aiming for approximately 3,000 metres across three sections. This will be followed by diamond drilling later in the year to test the continuity and grade of the mineralisation at depth.
The Hill of Leaders project covers a substantial 445 square kilometres on exploration licence EL33232, strategically located 80 kilometres from Tennant Creek with good infrastructure access. Notably, no bedrock drilling has ever been conducted beneath the mineralised surface veins, positioning Stelar as a first-mover in unlocking this critical minerals opportunity. The company holds an option to acquire 100% of the project from F&H Brothers Metals Pty Ltd under a binding earn-in agreement.
Scale Potential and Exploration Strategy
Historical workings and recent mapping have identified nearly 30 mine trenches, indicating a sizeable mineralised system. However, much of the area is covered by shallow transported material, limiting bedrock exposure and suggesting that the true extent of mineralisation could be greater than surface observations imply. Stelar plans broad angled drill traverses to capture the orientation and continuity of the veins, with the “five floors” geological model hinting at possible thickening of mineralisation at depth.
With tungsten prices still elevated amid global supply constraints, the Hill of Leaders project represents a strategic critical minerals play in a proven tungsten province. Stelar’s experienced management team is moving swiftly to test the project’s potential through systematic drilling and assay programs, building on encouraging early-stage results and historical data.
Bottom Line?
Pending assay results and upcoming drilling will be pivotal in defining the economic potential of Hill of Leaders’ expanded tungsten mineralisation.
Questions in the middle?
- Will Phase 1 and Phase 2 assay results confirm the visual estimates of tungsten grades?
- How will the planned drilling programs refine the understanding of mineralisation continuity and scale?
- What implications could the observed copper zonation have on the overall resource model?