Marquee Resources Unlocks Strategic Antimony Potential at Eastern Hills
Marquee Resources (ASX: MQR) has launched Phase Two of its antimony drilling program at the Eastern Hills (Mt Clement) Project, aiming to test an additional 400 meters of strike length with approximately 15 holes totaling 3,500 meters. This expansion follows the recent establishment of a JORC (2012) Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.14 million tonnes at 0.60% SbEq for 6,800 tonnes of contained antimony equivalent metal, with approximately 83% of the antimony sitting within the open-pit component.
The company has also begun formalizing discussions with potential offtake partners after receiving numerous inbound inquiries, highlighting strong market interest in securing reliable antimony supply from Australia.
The Eastern Hills Project is strategically positioned adjacent to Black Cat Syndicate's (ASX: BC8) antimony deposit, which is recognized as Australia's largest undeveloped antimony resource. The combined district-scale potential of these neighboring assets emphasizes the significant opportunity Marquee is pursuing.
Building on Recent Resource Success with Ambitious Expansion Plans
The recently established Inferred Mineral Resource at Eastern Hills comprises:
| Resource Category | Tonnes (Mt) | SbEq % | Sb % | Pb % | Ag g/t | Au g/t | SbEq (kt) | Sb (kt) | Pb (kt) | Ag (koz) | Au (koz) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open Pit (0.15% cutoff) | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 7.0 | 0.1 | 5.7 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 230 | 3.2 |
| Underground (0.35% cutoff) | 0.14 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 9.0 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 40 | 0.5 |
| Total | 1.14 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 7.0 | 0.1 | 6.8 | 6.0 | 8.3 | 270 | 3.7 |
Beyond this established resource, Marquee has identified an Exploration Target of approximately 3-6 million tonnes with antimony grades of 0.4-0.8%. This target is based on continuity of lode alteration outcrop from geological mapping, rock chip assays showing comparable mineralization, and promising geophysical signatures.
The Phase Two drilling program now underway aims to verify this potential by testing an additional 400 meters of potentially mineralized strike to the northeast of the current resource.
"The Marquee team are pressing ahead with a clear focus as we embark on Phase two of our exploration efforts at the Eastern Hills (Mt Clement) Antimony Project. Our immediate priority is on keeping the drill rig turning across the Exploration Target, which has the potential to meaningfully expand the footprint of what is already a highly strategic Project," said Executive Chairman Charles Thomas.
Antimony: A Critical Mineral Facing Supply Constraints
Antimony is classified as a critical mineral due to its essential applications in defense, energy storage, and advanced manufacturing industries. The mineral faces significant supply constraints, with China dominating global production while Western nations seek to secure alternative supply chains.
What is antimony and why is it important?
Antimony (Sb) is a silvery-white, brittle metallic element with atomic number 51 on the periodic table. It occurs naturally in various mineral forms, with stibnite (Sb₂S₃) being the most common ore mineral. Antimony has several unique properties that make it valuable across multiple industries:
- Flame retardant properties: When combined with other compounds, antimony is highly effective at reducing flammability in plastics, textiles, and electronics.
- Strengthening capabilities: Small amounts of antimony can significantly harden lead alloys, making them more durable for specific applications.
- Semiconductor characteristics: Antimony compounds are used in the production of certain types of semiconductors and electronic components.
- Battery technology: Antimony is a key component in lead-acid batteries and is being explored for use in next-generation energy storage technologies.
The strategic importance of antimony has been highlighted by its inclusion on critical minerals lists in the United States, European Union, and Australia. Its applications span flame retardants, lead-acid batteries, and military equipment, with emerging applications in next-generation energy storage technologies.
This market dynamic creates a favorable environment for Marquee's Eastern Hills Project, with the antimony market experiencing tight supply conditions amid growing demand across critical industries including energy storage, defense, and advanced manufacturing.
Strategic Location in a Proven Mineral Belt
The Eastern Hills (Mt Clement) Project is positioned in the Ashburton Basin of Western Australia's Pilbara region, just 30km southwest of Black Cat Syndicate's Paulsens gold mine. This underexplored terrain hosts numerous examples of gold, lead-silver, and copper mineralization.
Marquee's project lies contiguous to Black Cat Syndicate's Eastern Hills Antimony Mineral Resource, which is reported as Australia's largest undeveloped antimony project and fourth-largest antimony resource in the country, comprising 794,000 tonnes at 1.7% Sb (~13,000 tonnes) plus gold and silver.
Beyond the Eastern Hills prospect, Marquee has identified several additional targets including Mt Edith, Yandi Well, Blackadder, and Lady Marian, where further antimony and gold mineralization will be explored.
Commercial Advancement Through Offtake Discussions
In parallel with its exploration efforts, Marquee is now formalizing discussions with potential offtake partners after receiving strong inbound interest from parties seeking reliable Australian antimony supply.
These discussions could potentially accelerate the project's path to development, with Executive Chairman Charles Thomas commenting: "We are actively progressing commercial discussions with a number of potential offtake partners who are looking for secure, long-term supply."
"The antimony market is extremely tight, with demand growing across critical industries including energy storage, defence and advanced manufacturing. We see a unique window to position Marquee as a reliable supplier of this vital mineral at a time when security of supply has become front and centre of everyone's minds globally," added Thomas.
This dual-track approach of resource expansion and commercial development positions Marquee to capture the full value potential of the Eastern Hills Project in a market environment where secure antimony supply is increasingly sought after.
Why Investors Should Follow Marquee Resources
Marquee Resources offers investors exposure to the critical minerals sector through its strategic antimony project in Western Australia. Several key factors make this an compelling investment narrative to monitor:
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Established Resource with Expansion Potential: The recently announced JORC resource provides a solid foundation, while the exploration target suggests significant growth opportunities that the current drilling program aims to verify.
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Critical Mineral Status: Antimony's classification as a critical mineral by major economies creates strong demand fundamentals and potential premium pricing for secure supply outside of China.
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Commercial Interest: The inbound inquiries from potential offtake partners validate the market's interest in Marquee's project and could accelerate its path to development.
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District-Scale Potential: The project's location adjacent to Australia's largest undeveloped antimony resource highlights the regional significance and potential for further discoveries.
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Clear Development Strategy: The company is pursuing a focused approach combining resource expansion through drilling while simultaneously advancing commercial discussions.
As Marquee continues to execute its twin strategy of resource expansion and commercial development, investors have multiple potential catalysts to monitor, including Phase Two drilling results, advancement of offtake discussions, and further exploration across the company's additional prospects in the Ashburton Basin.
"Antimony is a genuine critical mineral, and our team is determined to unlock the true value of Eastern Hills (Mt Clement) in a responsible and efficient manner. With strong market tailwinds, a focused strategy and a motivated team, we are excited about what lies ahead and the opportunity to rapidly move this Project along the path to development and commercialisation," concluded Thomas.
Key Takeaway:
Marquee Resources has positioned itself to become a significant player in the antimony market, offering investors exposure to a critical mineral facing supply constraints. With a solid initial resource, ambitious exploration plans, and active commercial discussions, the company represents a focused opportunity in the strategic minerals sector.
Ready to Invest in Critical Antimony Supply?
Discover why Marquee Resources is positioning itself as a key player in the antimony market with its Eastern Hills Project. With an established JORC resource, significant expansion potential, and active offtake discussions already underway, MQR offers a compelling opportunity in the critical minerals sector. To learn more about this strategic investment opportunity and stay updated on Phase Two drilling results, visit www.marqueeresources.com.au today.
