Stelar Metals Unveils Spectacular 15.7% WO3 Surface Assays Ahead of Maiden Drilling

Exceptional Surface Grades Expand Hill of Leaders Footprint

Stelar Metals (ASX:SLB) has delivered a striking boost to its Hill of Leaders Tungsten Project in the Northern Territory, with Phase 2 surface sampling returning assays as high as 15.7% WO3 (12.45% W). This spectacular grade, alongside six other samples exceeding 1% WO3, signals a robust and widespread tungsten system that extends well beyond the initial Phase 1 sampling area.

Unlike isolated pockets, mineralisation is distributed across multiple discrete sites along the mapped corridor, reinforcing the potential for a system of meaningful scale. Notably, the highest grades were recorded near the old Doria workings, with samples HOLA039 and HOLA036 returning 15.69% and 7.76% WO3 respectively. The Phase 2 program deliberately targeted previously unsampled ground, successfully expanding the mineralised footprint and confirming continuity of high-grade tungsten mineralisation.

Preparation Underway for Maiden Reverse Circulation Drilling

Building on these surface results, Stelar is finalising drill targeting that integrates Phase 2 mapping, ultra-high-definition magnetics, and geochemical data under the guidance of newly appointed Exploration Manager Andrew Bennett. The company is preparing for mobilisation of drilling contractors to commence its maiden 3,000m reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign at Hill of Leaders, targeted for late August or early September.

This drilling program represents the first significant bedrock test beneath the high-grade surface mineralisation and aims to establish the orientation, continuity, and economic potential of the tungsten veins. The exploration team’s confidence is buoyed by the expanded surface footprint and the geological framework established through recent mapping and geophysical surveys.

Strategic Timing Amid Strong Tungsten Market Tailwinds

Stelar’s push into drilling coincides with a tightening tungsten market driven by geopolitical factors. China’s continued export controls on tungsten and the US Department of War’s ban on Chinese-sourced tungsten imports effective 1 January 2027 have propelled tungsten prices to historic highs. Executive Chairman Stephen Biggins highlighted these dynamics, noting that the company’s timing “couldn’t be better” to prove up a critical minerals discovery in a market hungry for supply diversification.

Beyond Hill of Leaders, Stelar plans to leverage newly acquired detailed geophysical data and systematic regional geochemical sampling to explore the broader 450km2 tenement area, much of which remains untested. This regional exploration, combined with the upcoming drilling, positions Stelar to potentially emerge as a first-mover in Australia’s tungsten sector.

Historical Context and Project Tenure

The Hill of Leaders project sits on EL33232, held under an earn-in agreement with F&H Brothers Metals Pty Ltd. Tungsten was first discovered in the area in the 1940s, with small-scale mining producing around 38 tonnes of WO3 concentrate historically. More recent exploration by Washington Resources Ltd and others confirmed mineralisation beneath thin alluvial cover, but Stelar’s current program is the first to aggressively target high-grade tungsten with systematic surface sampling and imminent bedrock drilling.

Stelar’s approach combines modern exploration techniques and strategic corporate positioning to unlock a critical minerals asset in a region with significant discovery potential. The company’s recent assay results and drill preparations mark a significant step forward in advancing Hill of Leaders towards potential resource definition.