Archer Exploration Limited (ASX:AXE) has identified scheelite-hosted tungsten mineralisation on its ground near Broken Hill following a review of historical information.
The company has also lodged an application for a tin and tungsten project in northern New South Wales, east of the Queensland town of Stanthorpe.
A recent review by Archer of historical information at Broken Hill led to the identification of scheelite-hosted tungsten mineralisation within the company's tenements.
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Archer executive chairman Greg English said: “The identification of sheelite hosted tungsten mineralisation on our Broken Hill tenements adds to the prospectivity of these tenements.
“The fact that the tungsten is found in scheelite is significant given that scheelite is the most mind type of tungsten deposit in the world and is one of the easier types of tungsten ore to process."
Mapped tungsten prospective calc-silicate lithologies within Archer tenement boundaries
Worldwide, there are more than 30 known tungsten-bearing minerals with scheelite (along with wolframite) being the most mined type of tungsten deposit.
A known outcrop has been mapped extensively over Archer’s tenement area and the mineralised horizon likely extends under cover.
The company expects to begin mapping, rock chip and geochemical sampling at Broken Hill in the coming weeks.
Stanthorpe application
Archer has also made an application for a new exploration licence over an area of about 300 square kilometres to the east of Stanthorpe, which covers areas of historical tungsten and tin mines as well as prospects.
English said: “The new exploration licence application in northern New South Wales hosts historic tin and tungsten mines with the last of these mines operated in the 1970s.”
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He said that in 1974 around 8% of Australia’s total tin production came from the area of the exploration licence application.
Almost all tin production from the ELA area was from alluvial tin and tungsten deposits with minimal drilling to test the prospectivity of the old mines and deposits below surface.
Archer will continue to review all historical information and intends to explore the tenement area once the tenement is granted.
English said: “Tin and tungsten metals are both in demand with prices forecast to rise in the future.
“We are excited by the potential of these projects and intend to commence exploration at Broken Hill in the coming weeks.”
Focused on quantum technology
Archer has a focused strategy targeting globally relevant materials markets of human health, reliable energy and quantum technology.
An important component of this strategy is the company's primary quantum technology focus, including development of the 12CQ project that aims to commercialise a world-first quantum computing processor chip technology.