Heavy Rare Earths Limited has extended the known mineralised strike at its South Ridge Tin Project to 1.85km and secured all drilling approvals, enabling an expanded drilling campaign aimed at defining a maiden resource.
- South Ridge shear zone extended to 1.85km
- New parallel mineralised structures identified
- Drilling program expanded to 36 holes for 3,400m
- All environmental and heritage approvals obtained
- Drilling pending road reopening for heavy vehicles
Mapping Reveals Significant Strike Extension at South Ridge
Heavy Rare Earths Limited (ASX:HRE) has unveiled a substantial increase in the known extent of mineralisation at its South Ridge Tin Project in South Australia. Recent detailed geological mapping extended the main South Ridge Shear zone to 1.85 kilometres, a 1.25km increase over previous mapped lengths. This extension includes a 900-metre segment that remains under-drilled, presenting fresh upside potential ahead of the company's maiden drilling campaign.
The survey also uncovered multiple previously unmapped structures running parallel to the main shear zone, broadening the exploration footprint and hinting that South Ridge may be part of a more complex mineralised system rather than an isolated lode.
Expanded Drilling Program and Approvals in Place
With the Program for Environment Protection and Rehabilitation (PEPR) approved by the South Australian Department of Mines and Energy and heritage clearance secured from the Dieri Aboriginal Corporation, HRE has all necessary permits to commence drilling. The company has increased its planned drill holes from 28 to up to 36, extending the total planned drilling from 2,500 metres to 3,400 metres. This expansion aims to provide sufficient material for metallurgical test work and to better delineate the mineralised system.
Drilling will combine reverse circulation and diamond methods, with camp sites already established at the base of South Ridge. However, commencement hinges on the reopening of roads to heavy vehicle traffic, currently closed due to weather-related damage.
Historic High-Grade Intercepts Highlight Under-Explored Zones
A review of historic drilling data revealed only seven drill holes within a 450-metre western portion of the shear zone, two of which intersected high-grade tin mineralisation including 4 metres at 1.04% tin and 1 metre at 1.38% tin. These intersections lie beneath costeans that showed only weak surface tin anomalies, underscoring the importance of structural mapping to target mineralisation that may not be obvious at surface.
HRE’s use of portable XRF (pXRF) devices during mapping proved effective for preliminary screening of anomalous zones, complementing traditional geological tools. The company plans follow-up rock chip sampling with certified laboratory assays to validate these findings.
Strategic Positioning in South Australia’s Curnamona Craton
The Prospect Hill project, encompassing 75 square kilometres along the north-western margin of the Curnamona Craton, hosts polymetallic mineralisation within Palaeoproterozoic volcanic rocks. Initially acquired for uranium exploration, Heavy Rare Earths renegotiated to secure all mineral rights, including tin prospects. South Ridge stands out as the most advanced tin target, with historical drilling and costeaning outlining mineralisation over a 600-metre strike prior to this latest extension.
The upcoming drilling campaign is pivotal as it may enable HRE to define a maiden resource estimate for a high-grade tin deposit at South Ridge, positioning the company to capitalise on favourable tin market dynamics.
Bottom Line?
The expanded drilling program and extended mineralised strike set the stage for a critical phase of resource definition at South Ridge, with timing contingent on infrastructure access.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the expanded drilling confirm the high-grade potential suggested by historic intercepts?
- How will metallurgical test results influence the project's development pathway?
- What is the timeline for road repairs and how might delays impact the drilling schedule?