Gold Discovery at Argent Minerals Ltd Delivers 73.3g/t Results

Argent Minerals Strikes Exceptional Gold at Trunkey Creek: Rock Chips Return Up to 73.3 g/t

Argent Minerals Limited (ASX: ARD) has delivered outstanding exploration results from its Trunkey Creek Gold Project, with recent rock chip sampling returning exceptional grades of up to 73.3 g/t gold. The January 2026 sampling programme has significantly strengthened the company's gold mineralisation corridor, which now extends approximately 4.7 kilometres with historical production exceeding 2,900 ounces of gold.

The systematic 46-sample programme targeted iron-oxide-stained quartz veins associated with historical workings and has successfully expanded the known gold system beyond previous discoveries. Furthermore, combined with reinterpretation of historical geophysical data, these results have defined multiple priority targets for systematic follow-up drilling.

Outstanding Rock Chip Results Define Major Gold System

The January 2026 sampling campaign has delivered remarkable results, with multiple samples returning economically significant gold grades across the 4.7-kilometre structural corridor. The distribution of high-grade assays confirms that mineralisation extends well beyond historical workings and remains open along strike.

Top Results:

• 73.3 g/t Au (sample 3001861) – Ferruginous quartz with oxidised sulphides at working edge
• 19.4 g/t Au (sample 3001860) – Sulphides in quartz near possible workings
• 16.2 g/t Au (sample 3001893) – Pebbles of mullock quartz
• 8.77 g/t Au (sample 3001902) – Ferruginous quartz

These exceptional grades demonstrate the presence of extensive surface gold mineralisation within a structural corridor that varies in width from 250 metres to over 500 metres locally.

"These exceptional rock chip results validate the presence of extensive surface gold mineralisation within the Trunkey Project, which continues to deliver strong surface gold results along the defined structural corridor," said Pedro Kastellorizos, Managing Director.

Understanding Induced Polarisation Geophysics

What is IP Surveying?

Induced Polarisation is a geophysical technique that measures how well rock formations store electrical charge. When sulphide minerals are present (which often accompany gold deposits), they create distinctive electrical responses that can be detected and mapped by specialised equipment.

The method works by sending electrical currents into the ground and measuring how the subsurface materials respond. In addition, sulphide minerals have a characteristic ability to store and slowly release electrical charge, creating what geologists call "chargeability" anomalies.

Why It Matters for Investors

IP surveys help exploration companies identify buried mineralisation before expensive drilling begins. At Trunkey Creek, the reinterpretation of 1996 IP data has identified six high-priority targets with strong chargeability responses that correlate with historical workings and surface gold results.

The coincident resistive and chargeable anomalies represent priority drill targets, with the strongest chargeability response located immediately north and east of the township. This area remains largely untested by modern exploration techniques, presenting significant upside potential for the gold discovery at Argent Minerals Ltd.

Strategic Mineralisation and Geological Setting

Gold Mineralisation Characteristics

The Trunkey Creek gold system exhibits classic characteristics of deposits found throughout NSW's productive goldfields, similar to other successful operations like Hill End and Hargraves:

• Host rocks: Structurally controlled zones within schistose carbonaceous shales and phyllites
• Mineralogy: Gold occurs with pyrite in quartz veins, with trace arsenopyrite and galena
• Style: Northeast-trending structural corridor with multiple parallel reef systems
• Depth potential: Historical workings are generally shallow (less than 30 metres), suggesting significant depth extension potential

Historical Production Context

The Trunkey Creek area has a rich mining heritage that supports the current exploration potential:

• Discovery: 1851
• Active periods: 1852-1880, then 1887-1908
• Peak population: 2,500 people at Trunkey Creek and nearby Tuena by 1873
• Total production: Over 2,900 ounces of gold from multiple rich veins

Evidence of a stamper battery suggests free-milling gold was successfully processed from the oxidised zone. This indicates favourable metallurgical characteristics for potential future operations.

Next Steps and Development Timeline

Argent has outlined a systematic approach to advance the gold discovery at Argent Minerals Ltd through targeted drilling and evaluation:

Immediate Priorities (Q2-Q3 2026):

1. Maiden RC drilling programme to test priority targets defined by workings, geophysics, and surface results
2. Systematic evaluation of prospects across the broader project area
3. Integration of geological, geochemical, and geophysical datasets

Strategic Advantages:

• Located only 9 kilometres from the polymetallic Kempfield Project
• Potential supplementary feed source for future operations
• Infrastructure advantages in established mining district

However, the company's systematic approach combining surface geochemistry, structural mapping, and geophysical targeting provides a strong foundation for drill programme success.

Investment Thesis: Multi-Asset Gold and Silver Platform

Trunkey Creek's Role in Argent's Portfolio

While Argent's flagship Kempfield Silver Deposit contains 142.8 million ounces of silver equivalent resources, the gold discovery at Argent Minerals Ltd at Trunkey Creek offers significant upside potential. This could complement the company's development strategy.

Comparative Context

The 73.3 g/t gold result represents exceptional grades by any standard. For instance:

• World-class gold deposits typically grade 5-15 g/t
• High-grade underground operations often target +10 g/t zones
• Surface results of this magnitude often indicate significant depth potential

The 4.7-kilometre mineralised corridor scale suggests this could develop into a substantial gold system. This is particularly significant given the limited depth of historical workings.

Strategic Positioning in Premium Mining District

Argent has assembled a compelling portfolio in NSW's prolific Lachlan Fold Belt, home to major operations including Northparkes and Cadia. The company's multi-asset approach provides diversified exposure and operational synergies.

Diversified Metal Exposure:

• Primary silver focus through Kempfield (142.8 Moz Ag Eq)
• Significant gold upside via Trunkey Creek, Pine Ridge, and Mt Dudley
• Base metals (lead, zinc) add revenue diversification

Operational Synergies:

• Projects within 9km radius enable shared infrastructure
• Multiple feed sources for potential future processing operations
• Established mining district with proven metallurgy

Development Pathway:

• Clear route to production via Kempfield heap leach starter operation
• Gold projects offer potential early cash flow opportunities
• Strategic location near major mining operations

"The combination of 73.3 g/t gold rock chip results, a 4.7-kilometre mineralised corridor, and strategic proximity to the company's silver flagship creates a compelling investment proposition for those seeking exposure to precious metals exploration with near-term development potential."

Why Should Investors Monitor Argent Minerals?

The gold discovery at Argent Minerals Ltd represents more than an isolated exploration success. The exceptional grades returned from systematic rock chip sampling, combined with the extensive mineralised corridor and proximity to existing infrastructure, position Argent as a multi-metal exploration and development company with clear catalysts ahead.

Key Value Drivers:

• Immediate drilling catalyst: Maiden RC programme targeting high-priority geophysical anomalies
• Resource expansion potential: 4.7km corridor with minimal modern exploration
• Infrastructure advantage: Strategic location 9km from flagship Kempfield project
• Metallurgical characteristics: Historical evidence suggests favourable processing conditions

Investment Timeline:

• Q2-Q3 2026: Maiden RC drilling results expected
• Ongoing: Systematic evaluation across broader project area
• Medium-term: Integration with Kempfield development pathway

The systematic approach to exploration, combining historical data reinterpretation with modern techniques, provides a robust foundation for value creation. With 73.3 g/t gold surface results validating the geological model, investors should monitor Argent closely as it advances toward resource definition.

Moreover, the company's progression toward potential production decisions across its diversified precious metals portfolio presents compelling investment opportunities for those seeking exposure to precious metals exploration with near-term development potential.

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