Explore Dreadnought Resources’ Critical Minerals Potential at Gifford Creek

Critical Metals Momentum Builds at Dreadnought's Gifford Creek Project

Dreadnought Resources (ASX: DRE) is experiencing growing commercial interest in its 100% owned Gifford Creek Carbonatites project at Mangaroon, prompting a focused drilling program to supply metallurgical samples to interested third parties.

Strategic Drilling Planned to Meet Growing Industry Demand

In response to increasing inbound commercial interest, Dreadnought has announced a targeted 4-hole diamond drill program at Gifford Creek. This initiative serves two critical purposes: providing essential test material requested by third parties and supporting the company's internal resource and metallurgical development work.

The program, partially funded by a $180,000 grant from the Geological Society of Western Australia's competitive Exploration Incentive Program, is scheduled to commence in July 2025.

Importantly, Dreadnought has emphasised that this work will complement rather than distract from its core "More Gold, Faster Strategy," while simultaneously advancing the commercialisation of its critical metals portfolio.

"Due to geopolitical activities there is a rebounding market sentiment for critical metals and we have been receiving an increasing amount of third-party commercial interest. Finding a commercial outcome for the Gifford Creek Carbonatite Complex is a key pillar of our More Gold, Faster Strategy," said Dreadnought Managing Director Dean Tuck.

Inside One of the World's Largest Carbonatite Complexes

The Gifford Creek Carbonatite Complex ranks among the largest carbonatite complexes globally, hosting a diverse suite of critical minerals including rare earth elements (REE), niobium, titanium, scandium, phosphorus, and zirconium.

The project's significance is anchored by substantial resources, including:

• Yin Resource: 29.98Mt @ 1.04% TREO (Total Rare Earth Oxides) with a high-grade component of 11.63Mt @ 1.93% TREO, with 88-94% classified as Measured and Indicated
• Gifford Creek C3 Resource: 10.84Mt @ 1.00% TREO and 0.22% Nb₂O₅
• Gifford Creek Niobium Exploration Target: 15-60Mt @ 0.5-1.0% Nb₂O₅

The project has delivered exceptional drill intercepts across multiple critical minerals, including:

• Niobium: 130m @ 0.7% Nb₂O₅ (CBRC195)
• Rare Earths: 102m @ 1.1% TREO (CBRC115)
• Titanium: 72m @ 8.6% TiO₂ (CBRC086)
• Scandium: 45m @ 181ppm Sc (CBRC138)
• Phosphate: 43m @ 11.9% P₂O₅ (CBRC148)
• Zirconium: 74m @ 0.6% ZrO₂ (CBRC201)

Understanding Carbonatites: Nature's Critical Mineral Factories

Carbonatites are igneous rocks containing more than 50% carbonate minerals, making them relatively rare geological formations. They are recognised globally as important hosts for critical minerals, particularly rare earths, niobium, and phosphate.

What distinguishes carbonatites is their ability to concentrate multiple critical minerals in economically viable quantities within a single deposit. These formations typically occur in rift-related tectonic settings and represent some of the most deeply sourced magmas that reach Earth's surface.

The Gifford Creek complex extends approximately 17km in length and 1km in width, representing one of the largest examples of these rare geological formations, with only about 25% of its extent explored by drilling to date.

Strategic Timing Amid Global Critical Minerals Focus

The renewed interest in Gifford Creek coincides with increasing global attention on securing critical mineral supply chains. These minerals are essential components in renewable energy technologies, defence applications, and high-tech manufacturing.

With geopolitical tensions affecting supply chains, countries and companies are actively seeking stable sources of critical minerals, particularly those located in politically stable jurisdictions like Western Australia.

Multi-Commodity Opportunity

What sets Gifford Creek apart is its multi-commodity potential across several high-value critical minerals:

1. Niobium – Essential for high-strength steel alloys used in construction, automotive, and aerospace applications. Drilling at the Stinger zone has returned exceptional intercepts, including 130m @ 0.7% Nb₂O₅. The recently announced exploration target of 15-60Mt @ 0.5-1.0% Nb₂O₅ demonstrates the potential scale of the niobium opportunity.

2. Rare Earths – Crucial for permanent magnets in electric vehicles and wind turbines. The C3 Resource already contains 108,000 tonnes of TREO, with a strong complement of the most valuable rare earth elements.

3. Titanium – Used in aerospace, defence, and medical applications. Drill intercepts have demonstrated consistent high-grade zones, including 72m @ 8.6% TiO₂, comparing favourably with operating hard rock titanium mines globally.

4. Scandium – Valuable alloying element for aerospace components. Gifford Creek has delivered significant scandium intercepts, including 45m @ 181ppm Sc, placing it in a comparable range to commercial scandium deposits.

5. Phosphate – Essential for agricultural fertilisers and lithium iron phosphate batteries. Gifford Creek contains high-grade phosphate zones with intercepts up to 43m @ 11.9% P₂O₅.

6. Zirconium – Used in nuclear reactors, ceramics, and specialty alloys. Drill intercepts have identified significant zones including 74m @ 0.6% ZrO₂.

The Yin Ironstone Connection

While the focus of the upcoming drilling is on the Gifford Creek Carbonatites, the nearby Yin Ironstone deposit represents another significant critical minerals opportunity within Dreadnought's portfolio. The Yin deposit hosts a substantial rare earths resource of 29.98Mt @ 1.04% TREO, with 88% classified as Measured and Indicated.

Metallurgical test work at Yin has already demonstrated the ability to produce high-value monazite concentrates with 31.2-41.7% TREO and excellent recoveries of 85.9-92.8%. Additionally, a high-quality mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) containing 60.7% TREO has been produced using conventional processing methods.

Investment Perspective: Why Follow Dreadnought?

Dreadnought Resources presents a compelling opportunity for investors tracking the critical minerals sector for several reasons:

1. Diverse Critical Minerals Portfolio – Exposure to multiple high-demand minerals reduces dependency on any single commodity price

2. Established Resources – Both Yin and C3 already host defined resources with significant exploration upside

3. Strategic Location – The Western Australian location provides stable jurisdiction advantages

4. Growing Commercial Interest – Third-party engagement signals potential pathways to commercialisation

5. Exploration Leverage – Only ~25% of the 17km-long Gifford Creek complex has been tested by drilling

With exploration continuing and increasing commercial interest in the project, Dreadnought is well-positioned to explore Dreadnought Resources Ltd mineral potential toward a potential commercial outcome while maintaining focus on its core gold strategy.

The scheduled diamond drilling program in July 2025 represents the next tangible step in unlocking the value of this substantial critical minerals system.

Looking to Diversify Your Portfolio with Critical Minerals Exposure?

Discover why Dreadnought Resources' Gifford Creek Carbonatites project is attracting significant commercial interest with its world-class niobium, rare earths, titanium and other critical minerals potential. With established resources, growing third-party engagement, and a strategic location in Western Australia, DRE offers investors unique exposure to the critical minerals essential for the green energy transition. Visit Dreadnought's investor page to learn more about this compelling opportunity and stay updated on their upcoming drilling program.