Arizona Gold & Silver Inc (CVE: AZS) (OTCMKTS: AZASF) (FRA: A9J0) has become the latest junior mining company to pursue antimony in the mining-friendly state of Nevada.
Arizona is joined by Military Metals Corp (CNSX: MILI) (OTCMKTS: MILIF) (FRA: QN90), also in Nye County; NevGold Corp (CVE: NAU) (OTCMKTS: NAUFF) (FRA: 5E50); Xtra Energy Ord Shs (OTCMKTS: XTPT) and a select few others.
On Wednesday, Arizona announced an exploration game plan for its Silverton gold-antimony project. The junior has received authorization to complete a drill campaign and will be targeting a particular zone on the property. It will consist of 27 reverse circulation drill holes from 17 pads.
Re-examining historical data from a previous operator inspired the decision to focus on this particular area. Arizona has re-assessed previously identified stibnite-quartz veins and delineated a zone spanning approximately 900 metres by 400 metres that is most suitable for drilling.
“The database has over 25 surface samples that contain greater than 1 per cent antimony,” Arizona specified. “Coarse bladed stibnite is visible in all samples containing high antimony values.”
The precious metals and critical mineral company says the potential for a near-surface antimony deposit is very high, potentially making accessibility very convenient.
The Silverton property has been intermittently explored since the 1980s. To date, 66 holes have been drilled in the project area. Renewed strategic interest in antimony (Sb) within the United States and abroad has made historically identified mineralization become much more appealing than previous years.
Read more: NevGold Corp’s limousine Butte drill program targets first Gold-Antimony resource estimate
Pursuit of antimony driven by price and government spending
The metalloid element’s spot price, currently sitting at approximately US$57.50 per pound, is providing incentive to dig up a commodity that has been largely brushed aside by many for decades.
“There’s tremendous interest in antimony right now,” said Arizona CEO Mike Stark. “The United States government is spending millions to self-secure opportunities for this product as opposed to buying it elsewhere in the world.”
American government agencies have spent tremendous sums on the Stibnite gold-antimony operation under development by Perpetua Resources Corp (TSE: PPTA) (NASDAQ: PPTA) and a new Sb ingot supply agreement with United States Antimony Corp (NYSEAMERICAN: UAMY) in particular.
Despite taking a new interest in antimony in tandem with the government, Arizona’s primary focus continues to be the Philadelphia gold operation in northwestern Arizona.
Earlier this month, the company intercepted 9 grams per tonne gold and 34 g/t silver over 20.4 metres at the project. Beginning in early 2026, Arizona will be commencing additional drilling on 16 drill pads. The current aim is to produce a maiden resource estimate.
Read more: GoldMining chooses to retain its NevGold shares for next 18 months
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