Trigg Minerals Strikes High-Grade Antimony Gold: Bonanza Grades Up to 29.4% Extend District 1km North
Trigg Minerals Limited (ASX: TMG) has delivered exceptional results from its Phase 2 sampling programme at the Antimony Canyon Project in Utah. The Trigg Minerals Ltd high-grade antimony discovery has revealed bonanza-grade antimony assays reaching 29.4% Sb and a substantial new mineralised zone extending the system by over 1km to the north.
The systematic 104-sample programme has not only confirmed the high-grade nature of the core project area but has fundamentally expanded the scale and scope. Furthermore, it appears to be one of America's most significant undeveloped antimony systems.
The results represent a major breakthrough for the company's geological understanding. Moreover, the identification of the 'Salt n Pepper' tuff horizon as the primary host rock provides a systematic exploration model. This enables targeting future drilling across the 3.5km mineralised corridor.
Key Highlights: Multiple Bonanza-Grade Zones Confirmed
The Phase 2 programme delivered multiple exceptional high-grade results across several historic mining areas. In addition, these findings have significantly expanded the project's potential scope.
Core Project Results
The following results demonstrate the exceptional nature of the Trigg Minerals Ltd high-grade antimony discovery:
• Little Emma Mine: 29.4% Sb and 18.69% Sb from channel samples
• Pluto Workings: 25.24% Sb – located 50m beyond previously mapped boundaries
• Gem Mine Zone: 17.94% Sb with systematic channel sampling averaging 3.07% Sb over 9 samples
• Star Mine: 12.87% Sb and 8.98% Sb from underground sampling
Northern Extension Discovery
The programme identified a new high-grade zone approximately 1km north of the core project area. However, the significance extends beyond just the distance covered.
The results include:
• 3.59% Sb, 2.62% Sb, 2.38% Sb, and 2.18% Sb
• Mineralisation coincides with a coherent CSAMT conductor extending north-northwest
• Results validate the regional Paunsaugunt Fault system as a major mineralising control
| Mine Area | Peak Grade (% Sb) | Secondary Results | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Emma | 29.4% | 18.69%, 7.04% | Core high-grade zone |
| Pluto | 25.24% | 3.79%, 2.43% | Extension beyond mapped area |
| Gem | 17.94% | Avg 3.07% over 9 samples | Systematic continuity |
| Star | 12.87% | 8.98%, 7.11% | Underground confirmation |
| Northern Extension | 3.59% | 2.62%, 2.38%, 2.18% | 1km district expansion |
Geological Breakthrough: Cracking the Exploration Code
The 'Salt n Pepper' Tuff Discovery
The programme achieved a critical geological breakthrough by identifying the 'Salt n Pepper' tuff horizon as the primary host rock. Consequently, this discovery provides systematic targeting criteria for high-grade stibnite mineralisation across the district.
Key characteristics of the host rock include:
• Brittle felsic lapilli tuff that creates extensive fracturing
• Distinctive visual signature enabling systematic mapping
• Consistent high-grade mineralisation where intersected by hydrothermal fluids
• Geochemically distinct with favourable Sb:As:Hg ratios
What this means for exploration:
"We have now confirmed that the 'Salt n Pepper' tuff is our main host rock for high-grade stibnite. This is a game-changer for exploration. It shifts the project from reconnaissance to delineation."
— Andre Booyzen, Managing Director
Understanding Antimony: The Critical Metal Driving Defence and Technology
Antimony is a critical metalloid essential for modern defence, technology, and industrial applications. For instance, the element is primarily used in various high-value sectors.
The primary applications include:
• Flame retardants for electronics, textiles, and building materials
• Battery technology including advanced lead-acid batteries and emerging grid storage
• Military applications including ammunition, infrared countermeasures, and night vision equipment
• Semiconductors and solar panels for emerging technology applications
Why antimony matters to investors
With China controlling ~90% of global supply and recent export restrictions, Western nations are urgently seeking reliable alternative sources. Furthermore, the US Department of Defense has classified antimony as a critical mineral. This creates significant strategic and commercial value for domestic projects like Antimony Canyon.
Key Investment Terms:
-
Stibnite (Sbâ‚‚S₃): The primary antimony mineral being extracted – a greyish metallic mineral that forms the basis of most commercial antimony production
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Bonanza grades: Exceptionally high concentrations (>10% metal content) – these represent the highest-grade ore zones that typically drive project economics
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Hydrothermal system: Geological process that concentrates metals through hot fluid circulation – essentially how nature creates high-grade mineral deposits
Scale and Infrastructure: A District-Class Discovery
Expanded Footprint
The Northern Extension discovery fundamentally changes the project's scale and potential. Additionally, it validates the broader geological model across the district.
The expanded scope includes:
• Total strike length: Now exceeds 3.5km with multiple stacked horizons
• Structural controls: Validated Paunsaugunt Fault system and regional splays
• CSAMT validation: Geophysical conductor correlates with high-grade surface results
• Systematic potential: Mappable host rock enables predictive targeting
The Trigg Minerals Ltd high-grade antimony discovery represents a significant expansion beyond the originally mapped boundaries. Moreover, new zones have been identified in areas previously considered peripheral to the main system.
Geochemical Advantages
Multi-element analysis reveals favourable metallurgical characteristics. However, the true advantage lies in the clean nature of the mineralisation.
| Element | High-Grade Zones | Peripheral Zones | Processing Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antimony (Sb) | Up to 29.4% | 1-5% | Primary revenue metal |
| Arsenic (As) | <1% typically | Variable | Low penalty element |
| Mercury (Hg) | <10 ppm typically | Up to 72 ppm | Minimal processing issues |
The low ratios of harmful mercury and arsenic compared to antimony suggest favourable metallurgical characteristics. Consequently, this reduces processing penalties significantly.
Next Steps: Maiden Drilling Programme
Drill-Ready Targets Identified
The systematic sampling success has generated high-confidence drilling targets for the upcoming maiden programme. Furthermore, these targets represent the best opportunities for resource delineation.
Primary Objectives:
-
Test depth extensions of bonanza-grade shoots at Gem-Emma zone
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Validate stratigraphic continuity of 'Salt n Pepper' tuff across 3.5km strike
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Provide first modern drill data for potential resource estimation
Strategic Timing:
• Systematic host rock identification enables predictive drilling
• Multiple high-grade zones provide portfolio of targets
• Geophysical validation supports district-scale potential
Key Takeaway:
"The success of this programme has finalised a suite of high-confidence, drill-ready targets at the Gem – Emma Mine zone. We are now focused on planning a maiden drilling programme designed to test the continuity and provide the first-ever modern drill data from the project."
Why Investors Should Track Trigg Minerals
Strategic Positioning in Critical Minerals
Trigg Minerals has positioned itself at the intersection of multiple investment themes. Additionally, the timing aligns perfectly with global supply chain concerns.
Domestic US Critical Minerals:
• Strategic location in mining-friendly Utah jurisdiction
• Patented mining claims providing secure tenure
• Infrastructure access for development and transport
Technical De-risking:
• Geological model validated through systematic sampling
• Predictive targeting via mappable host rocks
• Multiple high-grade zones confirmed across district scale
Market Fundamentals:
• Chinese export restrictions driving Western sourcing urgency
• Defence applications providing strategic premium
• Limited Western supply creating scarcity value
The Trigg Minerals Ltd high-grade antimony discovery comes at a critical time when Western governments are actively seeking to secure domestic supply chains. However, the technical merit stands independently of market conditions.
What makes this discovery unique?
The combination of exceptional grades, systematic geological understanding, and strategic timing differentiates this project. For instance, most antimony projects globally lack such clearly defined geological controls.
| Catalyst | Timing | Potential Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Maiden drilling results | Q1 2025 | First depth validation of high grades |
| Resource estimation | Mid-2025 | Quantification of antimony inventory |
| Metallurgical testing | 2025 | Processing pathway confirmation |
| Development studies | Late 2025+ | Economic viability assessment |
Investment Thesis Summary:
With bonanza grades up to 29.4% antimony, a newly discovered 1km northern extension, and systematic geological controls identified, the project has been transformed. Furthermore, Antimony Canyon has evolved from a historical curiosity into one of America's most significant undeveloped antimony systems.
The upcoming maiden drilling programme represents a major value inflection point for this strategically critical project. Moreover, the Trigg Minerals Ltd high-grade antimony discovery positions the company as a leader in domestic critical mineral supply.
The combination of exceptional grades, systematic geological understanding, and strategic timing creates compelling investment appeal. However, the upcoming drilling results will be crucial for validating the depth potential of these surface discoveries.
Final Investment Consideration:
"Trigg Minerals has positioned itself as a major player in the critical antimony sector, with significant upside potential due to confirmed bonanza grades, district-scale expansion, and systematic geological understanding. With upcoming drilling in Q1 2025, investors should keep close attention on this strategic US critical minerals play."
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