Strickland Strikes Gold: Strong Results Launch 2025 Rogozna Drilling Campaign
Strickland Metals (ASX: STK) has commenced its 2025 drilling campaign on a strong note, reporting high-grade gold and base metals intercepts from the first two holes at its flagship Rogozna Project in Serbia.
Impressive Intercepts Extend High-Grade Zones
The latest diamond drilling results from the 5.3Moz AuEq Shanac Deposit have delivered multiple significant intercepts that extend the known high-grade mineralisation zones:
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251.6m @ 1.3g/t AuEq from 341.9m (ZRSD25175), including:
- 58.1m @ 2.3g/t AuEq from 458.9m
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265.0m @ 1.2g/t AuEq from 366.1m (ZRSD25176), including:
- 66.8m @ 2.7g/t AuEq from 423.8m
Notably, the 66.8m intercept in hole ZRSD25176 represents a significant extension of higher-grade mineralisation, showing >50% stronger grade than the current resource block model in this position—a promising indication for potential resource enhancement.
These intercepts have successfully extended the higher-grade (>1.5g/t AuEq) mineralisation zones on the western side of the Central Domain at Shanac.
"Our 2025 drilling campaign is off to an excellent start, with the first two holes at Shanac delivering several quality intercepts of higher-grade mineralisation," said Strickland Managing Director Paul L'Herpiniere.
Full-Scale Exploration Campaign Underway
Strickland has ramped up its exploration efforts at Rogozna with six diamond drilling rigs currently operating across the project:
- Four rigs focused on the Gradina deposit
- One rig at Shanac
- One rig following up the late-2024 Kotlovi discovery
Assays are pending for a further seven completed drill holes, including two at Shanac and three at Gradina, with results expected in the coming weeks.
Understanding Skarn Deposits: Key to Rogozna's Potential
The Rogozna Project hosts a skarn-based gold-copper mineralisation system with associated zinc, silver, and lead. Skarn deposits form when hot, mineral-rich fluids from magmatic intrusions interact with nearby carbonate rocks (like limestone), creating zones of altered minerals and valuable metal deposits.
This mineralisation style offers several advantages:
- Typically forms large, bulk-tonnage deposits
- Often contains multiple valuable metals (gold, copper, zinc)
- Can feature both widespread lower-grade zones and concentrated high-grade zones
- Generally amenable to conventional processing methods
At Shanac, the higher-grade intercepts are associated with disseminated to semi-massive zones of pyrite and chalcopyrite, with subordinate amounts of sphalerite and galena—indicating the presence of gold, copper, zinc, and lead mineralisation.
Geological Context
The Rogozna Project is situated within the Serbian Cenozoic igneous province of the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic and metallogenic system. The project lies at the western branch of the Vardar Zone West Belt at the border of two major tectonic units, which is considered to play a significant role in controlling the Oligocene-Miocene magmatism and mineralisation in the area.
Basement rocks comprise serpentinites overlain by a Cretaceous succession of marls, limestones and sandy-clays, which are in turn overlain by andesitic pyroclastics related to an earlier stage of Cenozoic volcanism. Later Cenozoic magmatism is represented by quartz-latitic to trachytic dykes and stocks, which intrude all older units and give rise to the formation of extensive skarn alteration at the contact between the limestones and intrusions.
Future Plans and Growth Potential
Strickland's 2025 exploration program represents the largest-ever drilling campaign at the Rogozna Project. With extensive drilling planned across multiple targets, investors can expect regular news flow throughout the year.
The company remains well-funded with:
- $34.8 million in cash and liquid assets as of March 31, 2025
- An additional $5 million received from strategic investor Zijin Mining after the quarter end
This financial position ensures Strickland can continue aggressive exploration across the entire 7.4Moz AuEq Rogozna Project.
Why Investors Should Track Strickland Metals
The latest results reinforce several compelling reasons for investors to follow Strickland:
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Resource Growth Potential: The Rogozna Project has already grown to 7.4Moz AuEq, with continued drilling potentially expanding this further.
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Multi-Deposit Optionality: With four defined deposits (Shanac, Medenovac, Copper Canyon, and Gradina) plus new discoveries like Kotlovi, the company has multiple development pathways.
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Strong Financial Position: With nearly $40 million in funds, Strickland is fully funded for extensive exploration.
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Strategic Backing: Zijin Mining's recent $5 million investment provides validation from one of the world's largest gold producers.
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Consistent News Flow: With six rigs operating, investors can expect regular updates throughout 2025.
Metallurgical Test Work Shows Promise
Preliminary metallurgical test work completed for all deposits from 2020 to 2022 has shown encouraging results. The work suggests amenability to conventional processing with flotation recoveries for the relevant metals generally in the range of 78% to 86% for the currently defined deposits.
This work included:
- Bulk sample analysis
- Grade variability testing
- Comminution characterisation
- Copper and zinc concentrate analysis
- Gravity gold recovery testing
- Bulk sulphide flotation
Technical Details of Recent Drilling
The higher-grade intercepts from the recent drilling are particularly significant. In hole ZRSD25175, a notable interval of 11.9m @ 3.1g/t AuEq (from 458.9m) includes elevated zinc and silver values, indicating potential for polymetallic recovery.
Similarly, hole ZRSD25176 returned an impressive 12.8m @ 3.7g/t AuEq (from 477.8m) containing 2.7g/t gold and 0.5% copper, highlighting the gold-rich nature of parts of the deposit.
Conclusion
The results from these first two holes of 2025 demonstrate both the bulk tonnage potential and higher-grade optionality of the Shanac Deposit. They reinforce Strickland's position as an emerging player in the European gold sector with a project of significant scale and development potential.
As the company continues to advance its exploration program with six rigs currently active, the potential for resource growth and new discoveries remains substantial. The combination of strong financial backing, strategic investment from Zijin Mining, and promising initial results positions Strickland well for continued success throughout 2025.
Want to Capitalise on Rogozna's Gold-Rich Potential?
For investors seeking exposure to an emerging European gold story, Strickland Metals presents a compelling opportunity with its flagship Rogozna Project in Serbia. With impressive high-grade results, a substantial 7.4Moz AuEq resource base, and a well-funded exploration programme, STK is positioned for significant growth in 2025. To learn more about Strickland's strong financial position, strategic backing from Zijin Mining, and the company's aggressive six-rig drilling campaign across multiple deposits, visit Strickland Metals' website for the latest investor information.
