Lode Resources has uncovered fresh silver-zinc and silver-antimony mineralisation at its Montezuma project in Tasmania, broadening the scope of its high-grade resource. Drilling continues to probe the scale and continuity of these promising discoveries.
- New silver-zinc and silver-antimony lodes discovered at Montezuma
- Drill hole MZS43 intersected multiple mineralised zones with assays pending
- Montezuma resource remains open in all directions
- Advanced metallurgical testing supports metal recovery assumptions
- Antimony’s critical status underscores strategic value of Montezuma
New Mineralisation Zones Extend Montezuma’s Potential
Lode Resources Ltd (ASX:LDR) has revealed new silver-zinc and silver-antimony mineralisation adjacent to its existing Montezuma Lode in Tasmania’s West Coast mining district. Drill hole MZS43, the first from a newly established hanging-wall position, cut through four separate mineralised lodes including a previously undiscovered silver-antimony fissure lode and two silver-zinc-lead replacement zones. While assays are still pending, these visual intercepts confirm the presence of multiple mineralisation styles enhancing the project’s growth prospects.
The earlier MZS42 hole had already flagged a new replacement-style silver-zinc target with 6.40 metres grading 6.2% zinc, 1.5% lead, and 43 grams per tonne silver. MZS43 built on this by intersecting significant sulphide mineralisation both within the known Montezuma silver-antimony lode and in the newly identified hanging-wall zone approximately 50 metres away. This strategic drilling angle improves the understanding of the deposit’s geometry and opens new areas for testing.
Detailed Geological and Metallurgical Insights
The Montezuma deposit is structurally controlled and associated with the Montezuma Fault, featuring fault-related fissure veins rich in antimony and silver. Jamesonite, a lead-iron-antimony sulphide, dominates the antimony mineralisation, alongside stibnite. The discovery of replacement-style base metal sulphides within Maestries conglomerate-dolomite marks a new mineralisation style for the project, potentially analogous to world-class deposits.
Lode Resources has applied metal equivalent grades combining silver, antimony, lead, and copper to provide a clearer picture of overall metal endowment. These calculations are based on metal prices from late 2024 and preliminary flotation recoveries exceeding 88% for antimony and lead, and 93% for silver. Further metallurgical test work is underway to refine recoveries, including assessments of tin and gold, which are not yet included in equivalent grades.
Strategic Importance of Antimony Amid Supply Chain Risks
Antimony is listed as a critical metal by the Australian Federal and Tasmanian State Governments, reflecting its importance to advanced economies. Montezuma stands as Tasmania’s sole antimony project and one of the few advanced antimony assets outside China’s dominant supply chain. Recent geopolitical tensions, including China’s export bans and subsequent trade negotiations with the US, have underscored the metal’s strategic value. This backdrop adds a layer of significance to Lode’s ongoing exploration and development at Montezuma.
Ongoing Drilling and Exploration Activities
The Montezuma mineralised system remains open in all directions, with Lode Resources actively drilling to test its scale and continuity. The company has commenced a second hole from the hanging wall to extend the silver-antimony mineralisation and explore the new silver-zinc system. Concurrent exploration is also underway at the nearby Fahlore prospect. These efforts follow a recent maiden JORC resource estimate of 8.2 million ounces silver equivalent at a high grade of 533 grams per tonne, positioning Montezuma as a significant asset in Lode’s portfolio.
Managing Director Keith Mayes emphasised that the new mineralised zones and extensions to the Montezuma Lode enhance the project’s growth potential. With assays from MZS43 pending and further drilling underway, Lode is rapidly advancing its understanding of this complex mineral system.
Bottom Line?
Pending assays and ongoing drilling at Montezuma will be pivotal in defining the true scale of these newly identified silver-zinc and silver-antimony mineralisation zones.
Questions in the middle?
- Will assays from MZS43 confirm the economic viability of the new silver-antimony lode?
- How might further metallurgical testing impact recoveries of tin and gold at Montezuma?
- What are the implications of geopolitical shifts on antimony supply for Montezuma’s strategic value?