West Coast Silver Ltd (ASX:WCE, OTC:ERWWF, FRA:8N70) has outlined an inaugural Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 2.8 million ounces of silver at its Elizabeth Hill project in Western Australia, confirming the deposit as one of the highest-grade silver resources in the country.
Elizabeth Hill exploration tenement package and mine location.
The resource totals 141,000 tonnes at 617g/t silver, comprising 369,000 ounces in the Indicated category and 2.42 million ounces Inferred, reported above a 20g/t cut-off.
A higher-grade subset highlights the deposit’s quality, with 2.72Moz at 1,114g/t silver from 76,000 tonnes at a 60g/t cut-off, representing 97% of total contained silver ounces.
Pit optimisation work indicates the resource has reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction (RPEEE) within a compact open pit measuring 200m by 180m and 130m deep, located on a granted mining lease.
High-grade inventory positions Elizabeth Hill as a development platform
The MRE provides a foundation for future development studies, underpinned by strong grades and favourable geometry.
Optimisation work shows the proposed pit captures almost all currently defined mineralisation, including areas previously mined underground in the late 1990s, supporting confidence in the deposit’s continuity and economic potential.
Notably, 86% of contained silver ounces remain in the Inferred category, highlighting a clear pathway to upgrade the resource classification through further drilling.
Executive chairman Bruce Garlick said the estimate establishes a “robust, high-grade foundation” and positions Elizabeth Hill as a potential high-grade silver development opportunity.
“West Coast Silver has progressed exploration at Elizabeth Hill rapidly to deliver a JORC 2012 compliant inaugural Inferred and Indicated Mineral Resource Estimate of 2.8 Moz Ag from 141,000t at a grade of 617 g/t Ag above a cut-off grade of 20 g/t Ag. The inaugural MRE includes successful drilling results from 2025 exploration and an accurate depletion of ore mined between 1999 and 2000.
"The MRE grade confirms Elizabeth Hill as one of the highest-grade silver projects in Australia. At a cut-off grade of 60 g/t, the resource contains over 2.72 Moz Ag from 76,000t @ over 1,114 g/t Ag. This is 97% of total MRE silver ounces and 54% of total MRE tonnes. The pit optimisation extends to the limits of most drilling and includes historical areas mined from underground. This speaks to the robustness of the deposit and the growth opportunities remaining at depth, along strike, and peripheral to existing mineralisation.
"As 40% of MRE tonnes and 86% of silver ounces remain in the Inferred category, there is opportunity to significantly grow the MRE by further drilling within the open pit optimisation to convert Inferred resources to Indicated resource status.
"This first Elizabeth Hill MRE is a benchmark for what is expected to be a continued high grade Ag growth story leading to the development of Australia’s highest-grade silver mine.”
Resource upside remains along strike and at depth
The company sees significant growth potential, with mineralisation open along strike and at depth, as well as across near-mine and regional targets within a broader ~180km² landholding.
The project hosts structurally controlled, high-grade native silver mineralisation associated with silica-carbonate veining near the Munni Munni Fault, with historical mining producing exceptional specimen-grade silver.
West Coast Silver completed multiple drilling campaigns in 2025, which underpin the current estimate and provide a base for further expansion.
What’s next: Resource growth and economic studies in focus
The company is now targeting resource growth and conversion drilling within the optimised pit shell to increase Indicated resources and support future studies.
Ongoing exploration, including drilling and geophysics, will also test extensions of the system and regional targets.
The MRE is expected to underpin economic evaluations through 2026, as the company advances Elizabeth Hill toward potential development.