Pantera Minerals Limited has completed a follow-up soil and rock sampling program at its 100 %-owned Gillham Silver-Antimony Project in southwest Arkansas, marking the final surface exploration phase ahead of planned maiden drilling in July/August.
Historic mine workings from the May Prospect. Image Credit: Pantera Minerals Limited
The Phase 2 program included 75 soil samples and 30 rock samples across previously unsampled target areas, including the Andrew Gold anomaly, Antimony Bluff, and the May and Stewart mine areas.
The program builds on Phase 1 results, which defined two coherent high-priority drill targets across a broader 2 km mineralized trend. Previous sampling returned rock chip results of up to 3.92 % antimony and 10.3 g/t silver, alongside soil anomalism of up to 2,660 ppm antimony.
All samples have been submitted for laboratory assay, with results expected in approximately four weeks. These results will be used to refine drill targets ahead of Pantera’s maiden drill program.
Pantera said several additional undocumented historic mines had also been located and sampled during the latest field campaign.
The Gillham district was historically a notable US source of antimony and silver during the late 1800s and early 1900s, with more than 18 recorded mine sites. Despite this history, the area has not previously been subject to modern exploration, drilling, geophysics or systematic targeting.
Antimony, silver, lead and copper are included on the US Critical Minerals list, with global antimony supply currently dominated by China, Russia and Tajikistan.
Pantera said it remains funded for its current exploration program through existing cash and scheduled EnergyX payments.
Barnaby Egerton-Warburton, Executive Chairman and CEO, commented: “The completion of this follow-up sampling program further strengthens our geological understanding across the Gillham Silver-Antimony Project. By extending coverage into the Andrew Gold anomaly, the Antimony Bluff Mine area, and around the May and Stewart mines, we have materially expanded our geochemical footprint across the district.
Geological observations across multiple historic workings continue to be highly encouraging as we complete the final surface exploration phase before drilling. Results from both programs will be central to refining priority targets and advancing Gillham as a strategically important US based critical minerals project.”
Pantera’s upcoming work program includes drill rig contracting for the maiden drill program, continued sampling of potential extensions to known mineralization, disciplined exploration spending within existing funding, and evaluation of additional US critical minerals opportunities.