Boab Metals reports promising early results from its 2026 drilling program at Sorby Hills, with visual mineralisation suggesting Reserve growth and mine life extension beyond current plans.
- 60% of Phase IX drilling completed
- Reserve conversion drilling finished at key deposits
- High-grade galena intersected at Norton
- Visual mineralisation extends beyond FEED pit designs
- Assay results pending but early signs encouraging
Early Drilling at Sorby Hills Points to Bigger Ore Reserves
Boab Metals Limited (ASX:BML) is already seeing signs that its Sorby Hills Silver-Lead-Zinc Project in Western Australia could deliver more than initially modelled. With about 60% of its 2026 Phase IX drilling program complete, the company has finished Reserve Conversion drilling at the B, Omega, and Norton deposits, submitting over 860 samples for lab analysis. While assay results remain pending, visual inspections have revealed mineralisation extending beyond the current FEED Study pit boundaries, hinting at potential Reserve growth and a longer mine life.
Key Deposits Show Broader and Higher-Grade Zones
Drilling at the B-Deposit has intersected mineralised intervals that are broader than the existing geological model predicts, with some extensions coming within 20 metres of surface. Similarly, the Omega deposit drilling has confirmed mineralisation outside the planned pit shell, with several holes showing wider mineralised zones than previously interpreted. The most striking results come from the Norton deposit, where drill hole SHSD_216 uncovered exceptionally high-grade galena mineralisation north of the current pit perimeter. This high-grade zone appears open to further expansion, potentially increasing the project's silver exposure.
Drilling Program Designed to Boost Production Profile
The Phase IX program is tailored to upgrade Mineral Resources to Ore Reserves, focusing on silver-rich zones previously excluded due to lead-only cut-off grades. It also aims to identify new mineralisation within the broader Sorby Hills tenure and adjacent projects like Manbarrum. To date, 28 sonic and diamond core holes totaling about 3,000 metres have been completed out of a planned 5,000 metres, with remaining drilling targeting the Beta Deposit, the Keep Target, and deep holes at Manbarrum.
Project Fully Funded, Moving Toward Production
Boab’s Managing Director Simon Noon emphasised the significance of these early results, noting that the drilling is reinforcing confidence in Sorby Hills’ potential to exceed the current FEED Study. The project is fully funded and advancing toward first concentrate production in the second half of 2027, supported by a recently secured $236 million debt package and the relocation of the DeGrussa processing plant to site. Every opportunity to add Ore Reserves or extend mine life could translate into meaningful shareholder value.
Pending Assays Will Clarify Impact on Reserves and Mine Plan
While visual mineralisation is encouraging, the true economic impact depends on assay results and subsequent mine plan optimisations. The company is awaiting laboratory analysis to confirm grades and thicknesses, which will determine the extent of Reserve growth and silver production increases. These results will be critical in updating resource estimates and refining the production schedule as Sorby Hills moves closer to becoming a significant Australian silver producer.
Bottom Line?
Boab’s drilling hints at a larger, longer-lived Sorby Hills mine, but assay results will be key to confirming the scale of Reserve growth.
Questions in the middle?
- How will pending assay results reshape Sorby Hills’ Ore Reserve estimates?
- Can the high-grade zones at Norton materially extend the mine’s silver output?
- What impact might Reserve growth have on the upcoming Project Delivery Plan?