Broken Hill Mines Delivers High-Grade Drilling at Pinnacles Open Pit

High-Grade Drilling Reinforces Pinnacles Open Pit Potential

Broken Hill Mines (ASX:BHM) has reported a series of impressive drill intercepts from its Pinnacles Mine, revealing broad zones of shallow, high-grade silver, lead, zinc, copper, and gold mineralisation. Highlights include a standout 3.8m interval grading 31.5% zinc equivalent (ZnEq) and 873g/t silver equivalent (AgEq) from just 77m depth, alongside a 14.4m intercept at 20.3% ZnEq and 561g/t AgEq. These results confirm the premium strategic value of the deposit and support the company’s recently restarted open pit mining operations amid rising zinc and silver prices.

Polymetallic System with Notable Gold and Copper Overprints

Beyond base metals and silver, drilling has returned significant gold and copper mineralisation overprinting the primary Ag-Pb-Zn system. Noteworthy intercepts include 5.6m at 3.2g/t gold and 0.2% copper from 87m and 10m at 1.6g/t gold and 0.3% copper from 111m. This polymetallic nature enhances the economic potential of the Pinnacles ore body and adds complexity to its geological interpretation.

Mining Restart and Ore Processing at Rasp Mill

Mining operations have resumed at Pinnacles, with ore now being trucked approximately 15km to Broken Hill Mines’ wholly owned Rasp Processing Plant. This adds a third high-grade ore feed source to the Rasp operation, complementing production from the Western Min and Main Lode deposits. The proximity to the processing plant and the shallow nature of the mineralisation enable cost-effective open pit extraction, minimising overburden and leveraging existing infrastructure.

Resource Upgrade in Sight with Extensive Drilling Data

BHM’s 2026 Phase 2 drilling program is progressing well, with approximately 16,500m completed out of a planned 25,000m. In total, around 31,000m of drilling results remain to be incorporated into an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) scheduled for late 2026. The recent assays bolster confidence in resource continuity, particularly in the Junction and Rope Shaft areas, which connect to the Fishers and Consols targets. The company is also assessing underground mining options alongside open pit extensions.

Joint Venture Structure and Historical Context

The Pinnacles Mine operates under a binding joint venture with Pinnacle Mines Pty Ltd, where BHM holds exclusive operational control and a 70% profit share. The deposit is a silver-rich Broken Hill Type sulphide system with a mining history dating back to 1886. Modern exploration and drilling efforts, including the discovery of the high-grade Perseverance lode, have significantly expanded the resource base. The current drilling campaign follows extensive historical data and employs rigorous JORC 2012 compliant sampling and assay protocols to ensure data integrity.

Geological Complexity and Data Quality Assurance

The mineralisation occurs within complex Proterozoic stratigraphy characterized by multiple lode horizons containing Pb, Zn, Ag, Cu, and Au. Drilling is designed to intersect mineralisation perpendicularly where possible, though true widths remain uncertain due to folding. Core recoveries exceed 97%, and quality control measures include certified reference materials and random duplicates. The data has been compiled into a robust database supporting geological modelling and resource estimation.