Sky Metals Ltd (ASX:SKY) has returned further shallow, high-grade tin-tungsten-silver intercepts outside the recently updated mineral resource at its wholly owned Tallebung Project in New South Wales, strengthening the case for additional resource growth.
The results were received after the cut-off date for the latest mineral resource estimate and will be assessed for inclusion in future updates.
Among the standout results was 29 metres at 0.31% tin and 0.04% tungsten from 6 metres in hole TBRC471, including 7 metres at 0.91% tin.
Hole TBRC472 intersected 26 metres at 0.27% tin, 0.07% tungsten and 23.3 g/t silver from 27 metres, including 2 metres at 1.62% tin, 0.08% tungsten and 47.8 g/t silver.
The same hole also returned 1 metre at 0.70% tin, 0.86% tungsten and 218 g/t silver.
TBRC468 delivered a high-grade tungsten intersection of 1 metre at 4.32% tungsten and 0.08% tin from 66 metres, followed by 3 metres at 1.16% tin, 0.15% tungsten and 10.6 g/t silver from 75 metres.
Plan showing the location of the new drilling results. Drill-hole collars, previously reported highlight drill intercepts and the limits of the existing Tallebung MRE are shown over surface geology.
Resource expansion opportunity
Sky Metals said the drilling demonstrated that mineralisation continued beyond the limits of the current resource model, with the deposit remaining open in several directions.
The latest results add to previously reported post-resource drilling, including 9 metres at 0.54% tin, 0.11% tungsten and 205 g/t silver from 67 metres in TBRC427.
Managing director and CEO Oliver Davies said the results provided further evidence that the updated mineral resource did not represent the limit of the Tallebung system.
“All of the drilling reported in this announcement sits outside the current MRE, highlighting the opportunity to continue growing both the scale and quality of the deposit,” he said.
The shallow nature of the mineralisation could also support additional mining inventory, greater scheduling flexibility and improved project economics in future development scenarios.
Pre-feasibility study nearing completion
Sky Metals expects to complete the Tallebung pre-feasibility study later this month, marking a major step toward development.
Further drilling is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks, targeting additional resource growth and potential extensions to the project’s mine life.
The company is also progressing Tallebung through the New South Wales mining approvals process as it works toward construction and production.
About the Tallebung Project
Tallebung is a near-term, open-pit tin-tungsten-silver development project in central western New South Wales and is regarded by Sky Metals as one of Australia’s largest undeveloped tin resources.
The project is located within a historic tin-mining district where mineralisation was first identified in the 1890s.
Sky Metals is targeting a comparatively low-cost processing pathway based on shallow mineralisation, coarse cassiterite grains and X-ray ore sorting, which has previously upgraded tin grades by as much as 44 times before gravity separation.
Tin is an important input for semiconductors, electronics and solar photovoltaic technologies, positioning Tallebung as a potential future source of domestic supply.