Argent Minerals has bolstered confidence in its Kempfield silver-polymetallic project with deep diamond drilling results and appointed mining veteran Mike McKevitt as CEO to steer development efforts.
- Mike McKevitt appointed CEO with 35+ years mining experience
- Drilling extends Kempfield mineralisation by up to 100 metres depth
- Lode 100 mineralisation confirmed beyond existing resource boundaries
- Kempfield hosts 142.8 million ounces silver equivalent resource
- Trunkey Creek gold drilling planned as potential supplementary feed
New CEO Mike McKevitt Takes the Helm
Argent Minerals (ASX:ARD) welcomed seasoned mining executive Mike McKevitt as CEO, who formally started on 1 July 2026 but was already engaging with the company during the June quarter. McKevitt, with over 35 years of operational, technical, and financial experience, led a broker site visit to the flagship Kempfield Project, signalling a fresh leadership push to transition Argent from exploration to development.
McKevitt emphasised the need to shape Kempfield’s substantial mineral resource into a robust geological and metallurgical model, supporting technical and economic studies for a financeable development plan. His approach prioritises disciplined technical analysis and capital allocation to progressively de-risk the project and build shareholder value.
Drilling Confirms Depth and Continuity at Kempfield
The June quarter drilling campaign delivered strong results from Lode 100, one of Kempfield’s three principal mineralised lodes. Diamond drillholes AKDD212, AKDD213, and AKDD214 collectively extended known mineralisation vertically by up to 100 metres and confirmed continuity between historical shallow drilling and newly tested deeper zones.
Notably, AKDD213 intersected 159.1 metres at 80.6 grams per tonne (g/t) silver equivalent from 17.9 metres depth, including multiple higher-grade internal zones. This broad intersection grade aligns closely with the existing Lode 100 resource average, reinforcing the geological model and the potential for bulk-tonnage and higher-grade shoots within the system.
Drillhole AKDD214 pushed mineralisation beyond the current resource boundary, intersecting 91.2 metres at 39.5 g/t silver from near surface, with higher-grade zones up to 60.2 g/t silver. This shallow intercept outside the existing resource wireframe highlights a compelling corridor for near-surface resource growth and remains open along strike and at depth.
Kempfield’s Scale and Strategic Location
Kempfield hosts a Mineral Resource Estimate of 63.7 million tonnes at 69.75 g/t silver equivalent, containing 65.8 million ounces of silver alongside significant gold, lead, and zinc. The deposit’s location in New South Wales’ Lachlan Fold Belt, near established mining districts like Cadia, offers access to skilled labour and infrastructure, enhancing development prospects.
The polymetallic nature of Kempfield, with broad mineralised widths and shallow zones, provides optionality for multiple development pathways, including near-surface starter production scenarios. Argent’s ongoing 2026 drilling program, targeting approximately 1,880 metres across Lodes 100, 200, 300, and other prospects, aims to grow and refine the resource while advancing technical understanding.
Trunkey Creek Gold Project Set for Drilling
Located just 9 kilometres from Kempfield, the Trunkey Creek Gold Project is emerging as a potential supplementary feed source. Historical workings and recent rock-chip sampling have identified high-grade gold mineralisation, with assays up to 73.3 g/t gold. Six high-priority geophysical targets have been delineated for drill testing, with a maiden drilling program planned for the coming quarter.
Trunkey Creek’s proximity to Kempfield positions it strategically within Argent’s portfolio, potentially complementing the silver-polymetallic focus with gold feed for future regional development. The project’s mineralised structural corridor remains largely untested at depth, offering meaningful exploration upside.
Financial Position and Corporate Governance
Argent reported $485,027 spent on exploration and evaluation during the quarter, primarily focused on New South Wales activities. The company ended the period with $2.99 million in cash reserves and holds listed shares and options in MinRex Resources Limited. Payments to related parties amounted to $132,162.
No substantive mining production or development activities occurred during the quarter, reflecting Argent’s current focus on advancing exploration and resource definition at Kempfield and Trunkey Creek.
Bottom Line?
Argent’s new leadership and encouraging drilling results at Kempfield set the stage for a strategic shift from exploration to development, but the path to a financeable project remains methodical and data-driven.
Questions in the middle?
- How will McKevitt’s operational experience influence Argent’s development timeline for Kempfield?
- To what extent can resource growth at Lode 100 and adjacent zones enhance project economics?
- What impact will Trunkey Creek’s upcoming drilling have on Argent’s regional development strategy?