Buxton Resources Strikes Silver: Promising Pathfinder Assays at Centurion Project
Buxton Resources Ltd (ASX: BUX) has announced encouraging pathfinder assay results from its Centurion Project, with silver values reaching up to 4,570 parts per billion (4.57 g/t) from partial leach assays at the end of drillhole CN002DD. These elevated silver levels are accompanied by anomalous tungsten, molybdenum, rhenium, copper, and zinc, suggesting potential for nearby precious and base metal deposits.
The discoveries by Buxton Resources Ltd come at a crucial time as the company intensifies exploration efforts in this promising geological setting. These findings point to potential mineralisation in an area that has previously seen limited exploration activity.
Key Discoveries Point to Nearby Mineralisation
Recent testing from the Centurion Project has revealed a chemical dispersion anomaly that could indicate proximity to significant mineralisation. The silver-rich samples were collected from loose sands at the base of the Canning Basin cover sequence in drillhole CN002DD, which had to be abandoned at 808.9 metres due to challenging drilling conditions.
The partial leach assay results returned impressive numbers:
| Sample | Depth (m) | Silver (ppb) | Copper (ppb) | Molybdenum (ppb) | Rhenium (ppb) | Zinc (ppb) | Tungsten (ppb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEN001 | 805.00-806.00 | 4,570 | 4,210 | 3,960 | 0.131 | 2,220 | 6,480 |
| CEN002 | 806.00-807.00 | 3,560 | 3,400 | 2,300 | 0.074 | 2,670 | 3,100 |
| CEN003 | 807.00-808.00 | 4,360 | 4,110 | 2,650 | 0.084 | 2,370 | 3,430 |
| CEN004 | 808.00-808.90 | 3,710 | 3,910 | 1,860 | 0.071 | 3,320 | 2,680 |
| Overall | 3.90m | 4,059 | 3,907 | 2,714 | 0.090 | 2,628 | 3,954 |
What makes these results particularly significant is how they compare to background levels. The average silver value across the 3.9-metre intercept was 77 times higher than average crustal abundance, with tungsten, molybdenum, and rhenium also returning higher than average readings.
"These results highlight potential for precious and/or base-metal deposits with the very high silver levels indicating the source is likely nearby, within hundreds of metres," said Martin Moloney, CEO of Buxton Resources.
Understanding Partial Leach Analysis
Partial leach analysis is a specialised technique used to detect chemical dispersion from mineral deposits through cover rocks. Unlike total leach methods that dissolve the entire sample, partial leach selectively dissolves metals that have been transported through groundwater movement and attached to sand and clay particles.
This technique is particularly valuable in areas like Centurion, where the target mineralisation is covered by younger sedimentary rocks. When partial leach results are high compared to total leach analysis (as seen in these samples), it strongly suggests chemical dispersion from a nearby source—potentially within hundreds of metres.
The company's technical team believes this chemical signature indicates proximity to sulfide mineralisation, though the exact deposit type may differ from the Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) style originally targeted. The metal association could also suggest potential for sediment-hosted copper or skarn-style deposits.
Additional Evidence from Mechanical Dispersion
Beyond the chemical dispersion detected in the lower sands, Buxton Resources has also identified evidence of mechanical dispersion in the drill hole. A magnetic unit intersected at around 450 metres depth yielded a small magnetic concentrate that returned 63 ppb gold when analysed—approximately 41 times the average crustal abundance and equivalent to a highly anomalous surface sample result.
This magnetic material also showed enrichment in a similar suite of metals as the deeper samples, adding further evidence that the drill hole may be close to significant mineralisation.
The discoveries by Buxton Resources Ltd are further validated by these consistent patterns of anomalous readings across different testing methods.
Strategic Location in a Promising Geological Setting
The Centurion Project occupies a prime structural position at the intersection of the Lasseter's Shear Zone and a deep crustal keel beneath the Fitzroy Trough. This location represents the convergence of several major geological provinces:
- The Kidson Craton (an unexplored cratonic block beneath the Canning Basin)
- The Fitzroy Basement Terrane
- The Aileron Province
This "triple junction" of major crustal boundaries creates an excellent structural environment for mineral deposition, with the Lasseter Shear Zone extending north-south for over 1,500 kilometres across Australia.
Furthermore, the discoveries by Buxton Resources Ltd take on additional significance given this complex geological setting, which has the potential to host substantial mineral deposits yet remains largely unexplored.
Next Steps for Exploration
Buxton Resources Ltd is continuing its technical evaluation of the Centurion Project with several initiatives:
- Ongoing petrological and micro-XRF analysis of core samples (results expected mid-October)
- Heavy mineral separate analysis to potentially identify sulfide minerals or indicator minerals
- A planned magnetotelluric (MT) survey, co-funded by the WA government, to map the elevation of the basement interface
These results, combined with the pending assays and analyses from CN002DD, will inform future drilling plans to target the source of the anomalous metal values.
Why This Discovery Matters to Investors
The discoveries by Buxton Resources Ltd at Centurion represent a promising development in a frontier exploration area. Several factors make this an intriguing investment opportunity:
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Strong Pathfinder Elements: The high silver values and associated metals strongly indicate proximity to mineralisation, potentially reducing exploration risk for future drilling.
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Strategic Location: The project sits at the intersection of major geological structures in an under-explored region with significant potential for large deposits.
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Government Support: The exploration program has received financial support through the WA Government's Exploration Incentive Scheme, which awarded Buxton a grant of up to $220,000 to offset drilling costs.
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Multiple Target Types: While initially targeting an IOCG deposit, the geochemical signature suggests potential for various deposit types, diversifying the exploration opportunity.
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Methodical Approach: Buxton Resources is employing sophisticated exploration techniques to navigate the challenges of exploring through cover rocks, demonstrating technical capability.
How Does This Compare to Other Recent Discoveries?
When placed in context with other recent mineral discoveries in Australia, the initial findings at Centurion show promising characteristics. While still early-stage, the pathfinder elements identified share similarities with the early indicators that preceded several significant discoveries in covered terrains elsewhere in Australia.
For investors interested in early-stage exploration plays with significant upside potential, the discoveries by Buxton Resources Ltd present an opportunity to gain exposure to a promising project in its infancy. The anomalous pathfinder elements identified at Centurion suggest that Buxton may be on the verge of a significant discovery in this remote and under-explored region of Western Australia.
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