Terra Metals Confirms Large Continuous PGM-Cu-Ni Sulfide Discovery at Southwest Dante Project
Terra Metals has reported thick, continuous platinum group metal-copper-nickel sulfide mineralisation over a 950m strike at the Southwest zone of its Dante Project, with deeper assays pending and exploration advancing rapidly.
- Broad sulfide intercepts up to 194m thick confirmed
- Discovery extends over 950m strike, 650m width, 750m depth
- Deeper diamond tail assays pending, indicating upside
- Ground and downhole EM surveys generating new targets
- Heritage surveys to expand drill access for resource drilling
Significant Thick Sulfide Intercepts Boost Southwest Discovery
Terra Metals Limited (ASX:TM1) has unveiled a major step forward in its Southwest discovery at the Dante Project, confirming a large, continuous and thick PGM-Cu-Ni sulfide system. New assays from reverse circulation (RC) pre-collar drilling returned broad mineralised intervals, including a standout 194 metres at 0.71g/t PGE3 and 0.11% nickel in hole SWRD057. Crucially, every reported RC pre-collar ended in mineralisation, underscoring the continuity and scale of the ultramafic-hosted sulfide package.
The RC pre-collars, spaced over a 650-metre gap in the Southwest Main Sulfide Zone, bridge previously reported discovery holes, significantly increasing confidence in the extent of the mineralised system. The thickest intercepts include multiple higher-grade zones, such as 34 metres at 1.32g/t PGE3 and 11 metres at 2.62g/t PGE3 within SWRD057, highlighting the potential for meaningful grade variability within a large mineralised corridor.
Deeper Diamond Tails Await Assays, Offering Upside
While the RC pre-collars provide a robust upper-level geological framework, the deeper diamond tails; completed to depths between approximately 725 and 918 metres; are pending assay results. These deeper holes are designed to test the mineralised system at depth and could reveal further upside. For example, SWRD052’s diamond tail extends to 918 metres below a 76-metre mineralised RC interval, with assays awaited.
Additionally, a diamond twin hole, SWRD071, was drilled to 729 metres alongside SWRC053 (an RC pre-collar with 105 metres at 0.87g/t PGE3), with assays pending. The company’s CEO Thomas Line emphasised that these deeper results represent “significant additional upside” and that mineralisation remains open in all directions as drilling continues.
Expanding Mineralised Corridor Beyond Existing Resource
The Southwest discovery lies outside Terra Metals’ existing 148 million tonne Dante Mineral Resource, representing a new mineralised corridor within the Jameson Layered Intrusion. The system differs from the established stratiform reefs by hosting PGM-Cu-Ni-Co sulfides across multiple mafic to ultramafic rock types, with mineralisation thicknesses far exceeding those of the existing resource.
Drilling to date has defined mineralisation over more than 950 metres of strike length, approximately 650 metres width, and at least 750 metres down-dip from surface. The system remains open along strike and at depth, suggesting substantial exploration upside. This aligns with the company’s ongoing ground and downhole electromagnetic (EM) surveys, which are generating new high-priority targets for follow-up drilling.
Heritage Surveys and Future Drilling Plans
Terra Metals is preparing heritage surveys scheduled for next month, which are expected to expand drill access across the Southwest area. This will enable further extensional drilling and the commencement of grid-spaced resource drilling, a critical step toward defining a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) anticipated in late 2026.
The company’s planned work program includes ongoing diamond drilling to test extensions of the mineralised ultramafic package, receipt and interpretation of pending deep diamond tail assays, and detailed structural and geological modelling. Metallurgical testwork and flowsheet development are also underway, aiming to advance toward a Pre-Feasibility Study following the maiden MRE.
Southwest’s Distinct Magmatic Sulfide System
Geologically, the Southwest discovery represents a distinct style of magmatic sulfide mineralisation within the broader Dante Project. Unlike the stratiform reefs in the existing resource, the sulfides at Southwest occur as disseminated, net-textured, and semi-massive intervals within a thick ultramafic package. The presence of iridium-group PGEs alongside palladium and platinum supports a high-temperature magmatic origin, consistent with a vertically extensive feeder-proximal system.
Terra Metals’ exploration strategy is focused on delineating the scale, continuity, and grade distribution of this sulfide system, while also assessing potential higher-grade feeder zones. The company is also exploring analogues across the broader Dante Project and the Jameson Layered Intrusion, aiming to identify additional mineralised horizons.
Bottom Line?
Pending deep diamond assay results and expanded drill access will be pivotal in defining Southwest’s resource potential and guiding Terra Metals’ next development steps.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the pending deep diamond tail assays influence the scale and grade profile of the Southwest discovery?
- What impact will expanded heritage survey clearances have on the pace and scope of resource drilling?
- Can the Southwest sulfide system’s distinct magmatic style translate into economically viable higher-grade zones?
