VMS deposits like those at Kempfield can often host a spread of economic metals. Pic: Getty Images
The true strength of Argent Minerals’ Kempfield is taking shape
Mining
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- Argent’s first rock chips from the Wood Gully Gossan prospect confirm high-grade mineralisation
- Company believes it has added another VMS-style prospect to the Kempfield project
- Prospect to be included in Argent’s aggressive new year drilling plans
Special Report: Argent Minerals’ first rock chip reconnaissance over the Wood Gully Gossan prospect has further validated the surface-level polymetallics of its Kempfield project in New South Wales.
The Argent Minerals (ASX:ARD) rock chip campaign confirmed the presence of metals, containing up to 3.8g/t gold, 112g/t silver, 1.76% copper, 31.1ppm indium, 1.68% lead and 0.72% zinc.
It comes off the back of the recent discovery of shallow, high-grade VMS multi-metals at the Henry’s and Sugarloaf Hill prospects within a project registered as a New South Wales State Significant Development.
Argent managing director Pedro Kastellorizos said the company was extremely pleased to have received first high-grade geochemical results, which highlighted significant polymetallic mineralisation at Wood Gully Gossan.
“At this stage, we believe this geochemical signature is a volcanic massive sulphide style mineralisation,” Kastellorizos said.
“These high-grade gold rock chip assays in conjunction with its proximal location to the Pine Ridge Gold Deposit (orogenic style mineralisation) has highlighted the exploration potential of these highly prospective geological areas.
“The strong indium and precious metals along with the high-grade copper results have been defined as ‘stand up’ and will immediately be systematically explored through further ground geochemical exploration programs, followed by aircore or RC Drilling”.
VMS vindication
VMS deposits are mostly associated with base metals but hold the potential to produce economic levels of precious metals on top.
The deposits tend to have strong grades and a large spread of commodities, which makes them a logical target for smaller-scale operators aiming to enter production.
Kempfield’s 63.7Mt at 69.75g/t silver equivalent resource sits larger than many, with a high-grade resource of precious metals and the presence of indium adding to the allure of its development.
But even through a record-setting gold market, silver is likely the real prize at play, with Kempfield sitting as Australia’s second largest undeveloped silver deposit.
The secondary safe haven commodity is increasingly used in fast-growing technological sectors, with large deficits in recent years resulting from its use in solar photovoltaic cells.
Moving forward
The Wood Gully Gossan prospect shares an immediate area with the 419,887t at 1.65g/t gold Pine Ridge deposit, around 19km southeast of the main Kempfield deposit.
An extensive faulted structural zone striking over 1.5km and associated with gold mineralisation has been marked for systematic drill testing, part of an overall campaign over Kempfield the Argent plans on being systematic and aggressive.
The company intends to find more mineralisation across Kempfield through continuous drilling, slated to begin in the first quarter of 2025.
This article was developed in collaboration with Argent Minerals, 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.
