West Cobar Metals Reveals 6% Higher Antimony Grades at Bulla Park

West Cobar Metals (ASX: WC1) has delivered compelling validation of its Bulla Park project's antimony potential, with new analytical methods revealing 6% higher antimony grades across key drill holes. Furthermore, this development at the copper-antimony-silver deposit demonstrates even stronger fundamentals as global demand for these critical minerals intensifies.

Higher Antimony Grades Unlock Additional Value

The company's decision to reanalyse core samples using peroxide fusion digest methods has proven astute, revealing that previous four-acid digest analysis consistently under-reported antimony concentrations. Complete reanalysis of diamond drill holes BPD08 and BPD09 shows:

• Overall 6% increase in antimony grades using peroxide fusion method
• Up to 16.6% higher antimony values in specific mineralised horizons
• Significantly reduced variability in analytical results, improving confidence levels
• 20,000 tonnes of contained antimony in current resource estimate

Managing Director Commentary

"Given strong global interest in antimony, we decided to run a fresh program of testwork to validate the accuracy of previous assay results. The underreporting indicates that we have more antimony in the system than previously thought," commented Managing Director Matt Szwedzicki.

Substantial Resource Base with Expansion Potential

The Bulla Park deposit contains an Inferred Mineral Resource of 20 Mt at 0.58% copper equivalent, delivering substantial contained metals. In addition, these West Cobar Metals higher antimony grades contribute significantly to the overall resource value:

Beyond the current resource, the company has identified an Exploration Target of 30-50 Mt with grades of 0.23-0.33% copper, 0.08-0.12% antimony, and 4-6 g/t silver. This conceptual target is based on extensive gravity surveys that reveal mineralisation extending well beyond the current resource boundaries.

Metallurgical Success Creates Dual Revenue Streams

However, recent testwork has achieved impressive recovery rates through an innovative two-product approach:

Product Stream 1: Copper-Silver Concentrate

• 94.6% copper recovery
• 84.1% silver recovery
• Clean concentrate with low penalty elements, acceptable to smelters

Product Stream 2: Antimony Sulphide

• 82.6% overall antimony recovery
• 37% antimony grade in final precipitate
• High-demand product addressing critical mineral shortages

Consequently, the process involves conventional sulphide flotation followed by selective alkaline leaching, demonstrating the feasibility of producing two distinct, valuable product streams from the same ore body.

Understanding Antimony: The Critical Mineral Advantage

Antimony represents a strategic commodity that has gained significant attention from governments and industry due to supply chain vulnerabilities. This metallic element is primarily extracted as a byproduct of other mining operations and is essential for modern industrial applications.

Primary Applications

Antimony serves multiple critical functions in modern industry:

• Flame retardants: Used in textiles, plastics, and building materials to reduce fire risk
• Lead-acid batteries: Essential component that improves battery performance and durability
• Defence applications: Required for ammunition, military equipment, and strategic technologies
• Industrial processes: Used in glass production, ceramics, and specialised alloys

Supply Chain Dynamics

The antimony market faces significant structural challenges that have elevated its strategic importance:

Limited Global Production: The majority of antimony production is concentrated in a small number of countries, creating potential supply bottlenecks. This geographic concentration means that geopolitical events or policy changes can significantly impact global availability.

Critical Mineral Classification: Both US and Australian governments have designated antimony as a critical mineral due to supply chain vulnerabilities and strategic importance. This classification often leads to government support programs designed to secure domestic supply chains.

Growing Demand: Defence modernisation programs and expanding technology applications continue to drive demand growth, whilst alternative sources remain limited in Western markets.

For instance, WC1's antimony resource positions the company to benefit from this critical mineral classification, with potential access to government support programs designed to secure domestic supply chains.

Strategic Location and Infrastructure Advantages

The report confirms that Bulla Park's location 110km west of Cobar in central New South Wales provides significant operational advantages:

• Established mining infrastructure in the region
• Sealed highway access from major population centres
• Proven mining jurisdiction with supportive regulatory framework
• Skilled workforce availability from nearby operations

The deposit's shallow mineralisation over 60+ metre thickness suggests potential for bulk mining methods, possibly including open-pit operations that could enhance project economics.

Government Support Programs Align with WC1's Assets

According to the company, WC1 is positioned to benefit from expanding critical mineral initiatives:

US Initiatives:

• Working with GreenMet advisory firm to access Trump Administration critical mineral programs
• Multiple relevant commodities (antimony, copper, rare earths) in portfolio

Australian Support:

• $1.2 billion Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve targeting antimony, rare earths, and gallium
• All three minerals feature in WC1's project portfolio
• Programs becoming operational from H2 2026

This dual-jurisdiction support framework provides multiple pathways for development funding and strategic partnerships.

Immediate Catalysts and Timeline

Q2 2026:

• Complete reanalysis results from remaining historical drill core
• Resource upgrade incorporating West Cobar Metals higher antimony grades from peroxide fusion analysis

2026 Program:

• 5,000m drilling campaign to test Exploration Target
• Staged approach to systematically expand resource base
• Further metallurgical optimisation to improve recovery rates

The systematic reanalysis program demonstrates management's commitment to maximising asset value through rigorous technical validation.

Why Investors Should Follow WC1

West Cobar Metals has positioned itself as a unique critical minerals play with multiple value drivers converging:

1. Upgraded Resource Quality: West Cobar Metals higher antimony grades increase contained metal value and project economics

2. Dual-Product Revenue Model: Proven ability to produce both copper-silver concentrate and antimony sulphide from single ore body

3. Critical Mineral Exposure: Strategic commodities with government support and supply chain premiums

4. Substantial Growth Potential: 30-50 Mt Exploration Target represents potential resource expansion of 150-250%

5. Infrastructure Advantage: Established mining region with proven development pathway

6. Government Alignment: Portfolio matches both US and Australian critical mineral priorities

Key Investment Consideration

WC1's methodical approach to resource validation has uncovered additional antimony value whilst positioning the company to benefit from critical mineral supply chain initiatives. With substantial exploration upside and proven metallurgy, Bulla Park represents a compelling development story in the strategic minerals space.

In conclusion, the combination of upgraded grades, government support alignment, and significant expansion potential makes WC1 a company worth monitoring as critical mineral strategies gain momentum globally.

Could WC1 Be Your Next Critical Minerals Investment?

With West Cobar Metals delivering 6% higher antimony grades, proven dual-product metallurgy, and alignment with both US and Australian critical mineral strategies, the investment fundamentals continue to strengthen. The company's systematic approach to resource validation at Bulla Park, combined with substantial exploration upside of 30-50 Mt, positions WC1 as a compelling play in the strategic minerals space.

To explore how West Cobar Metals' critical mineral portfolio and government support alignment could fit into your investment strategy, visit www.westcobarmetals.com.au for comprehensive project details, upcoming catalysts, and investor resources.