Major VTEM Survey Highlights Multiple New Target Zones
Argent Minerals Limited (ASX: ARD) has announced compelling results from a review of historical VTEM data over its 100%-owned Kempfield Project in New South Wales. The geophysical review has identified three extensive and distinct electromagnetic trends that represent high-priority drill targets for additional gold-silver-base metal mineralisation.
The newly delineated trends significantly expand the potential mineralised footprint of the Kempfield deposit:
| VTEM Trend | Length | Orientation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western EM Trend | 2.2 km | North-south | Completely untested |
| Central EM Trend | 4.1 km | Northeast-southwest | Partially tested with confirmed shallow mineralisation |
| Eastern EM Trend | 2.2 km | Northeast-southwest | Entirely untested |
"A high-level interpretation of the VTEM data review conducted by Core Geophysics has identified multiple new drill targets, including several that were previously unknown to Argent. Significantly, three extensive EM trends have been delineated, two of which remain completely untested. These trends extend well beyond the current boundaries of the known Kempfield Deposit, indicating strong potential for the discovery of additional mineralised zones both at depth and along strike," said Managing Director Pedro Kastellorizos.
Recent Drilling Results Support VTEM Anomalies
Recent drilling in the Kempfield NW Zone has already partially validated the VTEM findings, with significant intercepts that confirm the presence of valuable mineralisation. Preliminary VTEM plate modelling indicates potential deeper sources of mineralisation in this area.
Drilling highlights from the Kempfield NW Zone include:
- 34m @ 13.60 g/t Ag and 0.91% Cu+Pb+Zn from 22m (AKRC287), including:
- 13m @ 27.02 g/t Ag and 1.37% Cu+Pb+Zn from 43m
- 18m @ 22.30 g/t Ag and 0.60% Cu+Pb+Zn from 62m
These results, combined with the extensive untested VTEM anomalies, point to significant expansion potential for the Kempfield deposit.
Understanding Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) Deposits
Exploration at Argent Minerals Ltd Kempfield project is focused on a Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) deposit type. VMS deposits are formed through geological processes where metal-rich fluids are discharged onto the seafloor or into near-surface environments. When these fluids meet seawater or porous sediments, they cool rapidly and precipitate sulphide minerals containing valuable metals.
VMS deposits are particularly important in the mining industry for several reasons:
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Multiple Valuable Metals: They typically contain a combination of copper, zinc, lead, silver, and gold, making them economically attractive.
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Clustered Occurrence: VMS deposits generally form in groups or "camps." The discovery of one deposit often indicates the presence of others nearby—a characteristic that makes the newly identified EM trends at Kempfield particularly significant.
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Distinct Geophysical Signatures: Due to their high sulphide content, VMS deposits often create recognisable electromagnetic responses like those identified in the VTEM survey.
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Stratiform Structure: These deposits typically form in layers, creating distinct horizons that can be traced along strike and at depth.
At Kempfield, the geological setting consists of Silurian felsic to intermediate volcaniclastics within the intra-arc Hill End Trough in the Lachlan Orogen. This environment provided ideal conditions for the formation of stratiform barite-rich horizons that host silver, lead, zinc, and occasionally gold mineralisation.
Future Exploration Plans and Timeline
Exploration at Argent Minerals Ltd Kempfield project is set to continue with a focused programme to test the newly identified targets:
- Further drilling planned for the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2025/2026
- Priority focus on testing the completely unexplored Western and Eastern EM Trends
- Additional drilling along the Central EM Trend to follow up on confirmed shallow mineralisation
- Deeper drilling in the Kempfield NW Zone to test potential source of the sulphide mineralisation
The company's methodical approach to exploration is designed to systematically evaluate the full potential of these extensive mineralised trends, with particular attention to areas where VTEM anomalies coincide with gossanous lithologies, surface geochemical anomalies, and drilling-confirmed mineralisation.
Investment Significance: Expanding Beyond the Established Resource
The importance of these new exploration targets becomes clear when viewed in context of the existing Kempfield resource. In July 2024, Argent upgraded the Kempfield Silver Deposit Mineral Resource to 63.7Mt @ 69.75 g/t silver equivalent for 142.8 million ounces Ag Eq, containing:
- 65.8 million ounces silver
- 125,192 ounces gold
- 207,402 tonnes lead
- 420,373 tonnes zinc
The identification of multiple untested mineralised trends surrounding this established resource points to significant potential for resource expansion. The Western EM Trend in particular may indicate a deeper footwall position relative to the known mineralised structure, suggesting possible extensions at depth.
Why Investors Should Follow Argent Minerals
Argent Minerals presents a compelling opportunity for investors interested in the precious and base metals sector for several key reasons:
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Established resource with growth potential – The existing 142.8 million ounce silver equivalent resource provides a solid foundation, while the newly identified EM trends offer substantial upside.
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Multiple untested targets – Two completely untested EM trends spanning over 4.4 km combined length represent significant exploration upside.
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Geological validation – Recent drilling has already confirms sulphide mineralisation within one trend, increasing confidence in the other anomalies.
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Systematic exploration approach – The company is methodically applying modern exploration techniques to enhance targeting and maximise discovery potential.
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Strategic NSW location – The project is located just 60km from Newcrest's Cadia operations, in a proven mining jurisdiction with excellent infrastructure.
Exploration at Argent Minerals Ltd Kempfield project continues to expand the mineralised footprint well beyond the established deposit. With an expanded drill programme planned for 2025/2026, investors can anticipate a steady flow of exploration results as Argent works to unlock the full potential of these newly identified targets at Kempfield.
Technical Analysis of VTEM Survey Results
The geophysical review focused on historical airborne electromagnetic (AEM) survey data flown by Argent in 2008. Using the VTEM system, the survey was flown on 200m line spacings oriented east-west with some infill lines at 100m over the Kempfield deposit.
The technical analysis distinguished between two key electromagnetic responses:
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Early Time Channel Response – Reflects conductivity variations near the surface that may indicate shallow sulphide mineralisation. Elevated responses appear along well-defined linear trends, with the central Kempfield NW trend closely following gossanous outcrops and drilling that intersected promising gold-silver veining.
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Later Time Channel Response – At greater depths, the near-surface conductive response becomes a well-defined low. This is interpreted to represent an induced polarisation (IP) effect where near-surface material with high clay or sulphide content creates a polarising effect that dominates the EM response at mid to later times.
At the Kempfield NW zone, this "low" response closely bounds the known mineralisation within the gossan and pyritic shale, providing a valuable targeting tool for future drilling.
Exploration at Argent Minerals Ltd Kempfield project has benefited significantly from this detailed geophysical analysis, allowing for more precise targeting of potential mineralised zones.
Comparing Results with Recent Regional Discoveries
The geological setting at Kempfield shares similarities with other recent discoveries in the region. Furthermore, the discovery of high-grade gold at Fortitude North project and major gold-copper discoveries in adjacent areas highlight the potential of the broader mineralised system.
Recent drilling programs by neighbouring explorers have delivered high-grade gold results that further validate the prospectivity of the region. This regional context provides additional confidence in Argent's exploration strategy and the potential significance of the newly identified EM trends at Kempfield.
Key Takeaway:
"Argent Minerals has positioned itself for significant growth potential at Kempfield with the identification of three extensive untested electromagnetic trends surrounding its established 142.8 million ounce silver equivalent resource. With multiple high-priority drill targets now defined and a focused exploration programme planned, investors should closely monitor developments as the company works to expand the mineralised footprint of this promising VMS project."
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