Stibnite is the most important source of critical antimony. Pic: Getty Images
Northern Antimony Exposure: Equinox tastes high-grade antimony in The Pacific Province
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- Ultra-high grade establishes new reported record for prime antimony-bearer stibnite
- Early exploration expands known mineralisation
- Copper finds show off project’s polymetallic potential
Special Report: Equinox Resources has returned a suite of super-high antimony samples from its Alturas project in the Canadian province of British Columbia.
The first set of 26 rock chip samples returned stonker grades of just under 70% antimony amid a spread of 14 results above 10%, showing off what led Equinox Resources (ASX:EQN) to the Great White North in search of the lustrous grey metal.
The tenure has been mined before, with more than 100t of antimony ore averaging 57.2% Sb historically produced from the on-site Alps-Alturas Antimony mine.
Early exploration at the recently acquired territory has already highlighted a significant shear zone expansion and copper discovery, and Equinox has opted to strategically stake an extra 3.3km2 to expand its tenure to 6.31km2 further grow the potential of a mineralised footprint.
A Malachite-stained rock chip showing 0.96% copper from a red metal-bearing boulder further showed off the polymettalic potential, and Equinox managing director Zac Komur said the company was thrilled to announce results that exceeded its expectations.
“Remarkably, samples have returned grades as high as 69.98% Sb, establishing the world’s highest reported natural stibnite grade,” Komur said.
“Considering that pure stibnite contains 71.8% antimony, these exceptional findings affirm the historic Alps-Alturas mine as a truly unique and invaluable asset.”
Komur added that by strategically expanding to the west and east, it was now positioned to explore beyond known mineralisation.
“The newly discovered copper zone, grading at 0.9% Cu, along with an extensive shear system, further solidifies Alturas as an outstanding opportunity,” he said.
“This project offers us a rare chance to unlock substantial value by systematically exploring an underexplored, ultra-high-grade asset in a mining-friendly jurisdiction.”
Results include:
- 69.98% Sb and 45.55% Sb – sample ALT24-PS-R003
- 67.96% Sb and 37.39% Sb – sample ALT24-JL-R004
- 49.98% Sb and 28.81% Sb – sample ALT24-JL-R005
- 47.97% Sb and 44.45% Sb – sample ALT24-JL-R002
- 20.89% Sb – sample ALT24-JL-R009
- 20.17% Sb and 14.75% Sb – sample ALT24-PS-R001
- 18.01% Sb – sample ALT24-JL-R007
- 16.77% Sb – sample ALT24-JL-R010
- 12.42% Sb – sample ALT24-PS-R006
Multi-metallic march
Equinox first secured a binding option over the territory with belief in untapped exploration upside along strike and at depth at the historically high-grade site.
Chinese restrictions put a new onus on finding old numbers and beginning new exploration for the critical mineral with advanced defence applications and a now-hefty price tag.
Copper is likewise under the sights of major miners as a key metal for a changing global economy, and Equinox is now doing a comprehensive review to advance Alturas into its next stage of exploration.
The company is in talks with potential partners and stakeholders looking to maximise the value of its new asset, and now has its first assays on deck to inform the plan of attack.
This article was developed in collaboration with Equinox Resources, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
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