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Legacy Minerals Sharpens Focus at Mt Carrington with Strategic DDIP Survey
Legacy Minerals has mobilised a fresh ground-based geophysical campaign at its Mt Carrington project in New South Wales, zeroing in on the Battery and Mascotte prospects. The survey extends across multiple tenements, covering exploration licences EL6273, EL9616, EL9727, and ALA75.
Field operations are spearheaded by Fender Geophysics, which has already started a dipole-dipole induced polarisation (DDIP) survey along six strategically selected lines. Positioned to cut directly across established mineralised zones, these lines are designed to refine the subsurface picture and generate high-priority targets for the company's upcoming drilling programs.
The on-ground fieldwork is slated to take roughly three weeks, followed by a dedicated period of rigorous data processing and interpretation. Legacy Minerals expects to receive preliminary results soon after this analytical phase concludes, with those findings set to inform the next exploration moves at the project.
Specifically, the DDIP survey is designed to trace extensions of the high-grade gold and silver zones at Mascotte, while also helping to pinpoint any potential high-grade copper mineralisation at the Battery prospect. Once finished, the survey outputs will be folded into existing surface sampling and mapping initiatives, collectively establishing a robust foundation for future drilling campaigns.
The current geophysical campaigns are designed to better define the lateral and depth extensions of known mineralization while sharpening the targeting focus on a high-grade zone that was initially outlined in previous drilling. Historical intercepts underscore the project's potential: hole MSDD001 delivered 40 metres at 1.0 gram per tonne gold from 151 metres down-hole, which included a richer sub-interval of 9 metres grading 2.7 grams per tonne gold.
The same hole also returned a broader lower-grade section of 57 metres at 0.3 grams per tonne gold from 81 metres, containing an 8-metre pocket at 1.3 grams per tonne gold starting at the 129-metre mark. Meanwhile, MSDD003 produced a standout 1-metre hit assaying 18.7 percent lead, 8.7 percent zinc, and 43 grams per tonne silver.
In tandem with the geophysical surveying, Legacy Minerals is actively advancing drilling at the Emu Prospect. Assay results from this program are expected within four to six weeks, following the completion of core processing. Concurrently, preparatory work has already commenced for a fresh mineral resource update slated for 2026, which will serve as the foundation for a forthcoming scoping study. Once the Emu drilling wraps up, the rig will be relocated to the Mascotte Prospect to conduct additional follow-up holes, further testing the encouraging early results already recorded there.
Legacy Minerals’ CEO and managing director, Christopher Byrne, has underscored the importance of the newly initiated DDIP survey across the Battery and Mascotte prospects, describing it as a pivotal step toward unlocking their full potential. Byrne noted that the technical team has observed strong indications of a well-developed epithermal gold-silver system at Mascotte, coupled with a potentially extensive and fertile copper system at Battery. He explained that the resulting data will provide vital subsurface insights to refine the company’s geological framework and shape the planning of upcoming targeted drilling programs.
Star Minerals Bolsters Gold Portfolio with Strategic Merredin Project Acquisition
Star Minerals has significantly expanded its gold exploration pipeline, securing a substantial new 219-square-kilometre project package near Merredin in Western Australia’s fertile goldfields.
The company’s growth trajectory received a major boost following the official grant of Exploration Licence E70/6810, alongside the submission of a further application for E70/6831, which would extend the company’s ground holding further to the north. Importantly, both licences were acquired through tenement applications at a highly competitive, entry-level cost.
Strategically positioned, the project lies roughly 30 kilometres from the Edna May gold processing facility, an established plant that is currently under care and maintenance, presenting a potential future pathway for toll-treating or development synergies.
The location is further enhanced by excellent connectivity, with major road and rail networks already accessible from the licence area, offering logistical advantages for exploration and future operations.
Star Minerals has secured a new project near Merredin, a move managing director Ashley Jones described as a timely addition given the company’s ongoing mining activities at the Tumblegum South Gold Project and its concurrent due diligence on several advanced opportunities.
Jones noted that an initial review of the site’s geology and geophysics has already revealed multiple encouraging features, which not only underscore the project’s potential but also lay a solid foundation for future exploration efforts.
Detailed geological interpretation has since uncovered a folded magnetic trend stretching more than 14 kilometres within the tenement, alongside several structural features that are considered highly prospective for gold mineralisation.
Situated along the metamorphosed margin of the Yilgarn Craton, the Merredin Project occupies a geological setting known for hosting mafic-ultramafic rocks and banded iron formations, lithologies that are closely associated with several established gold deposits across Western Australia.
While earlier drilling in the region has been limited, it did confirm the presence of both mafic granulite and banded iron formation. However, large portions of the area remain covered by thick granitic sheetwash, which masks much of the underlying bedrock geology.
For Star Minerals, advancing the Merredin Project is a key step in the company’s broader strategy to expand its gold asset portfolio while concurrently progressing mining activities at its Tumblegum South Gold Project. Looking ahead, the company’s immediate work program for Merredin includes securing land access and finalizing stakeholder agreements, compiling and reassessing historical exploration data, pinpointing prospective targets for follow-up, and launching reconnaissance surveys alongside remote sensing studies.
Beyond Merredin, Star Minerals remains actively engaged in evaluating other advanced gold opportunities for potential acquisition, with the goal of sustaining a steady pipeline of both exploration prospects and mining-ready assets. In a related development, the company finalized a right-to-mine agreement last November with contractors MEGA Resources and Bain Global Resources for the Tumblegum South operation.
Anglo American and Codelco Forge Historic Partnership to Unlock 2.7 Million Tonnes of Copper in Chile
Following the successful clearance of all competition and regulatory hurdles, Anglo American and Chile’s state-owned mining giant Codelco have formally cemented a landmark collaboration to jointly operate their neighbouring copper assets in the Andean nation.
The definitive agreement, originally signed in September 2025, has now taken full effect. It will see Anglo American Sur (AAS), the Chilean subsidiary in which Anglo holds a 50.1% stake, work side-by-side with Codelco to execute an integrated mine plan spanning the adjacent Los Bronces and Andina deposits.
This unprecedented operational alignment is projected to deliver a substantial production boost over the long term. Over a 21-year horizon, the partnership is expected to yield an additional 2.7 million tonnes of copper, translating to roughly 120,000 extra tonnes annually on average throughout the life of the plan. With all regulatory conditions now satisfied, both companies are poised to move forward on what promises to be one of the most significant co-operative mining ventures in Chile's recent history.
Duncan Wanblad, Chief Executive of Anglo American, characterized the pact with Codelco as a prime example of collaborative success, stating that the partnership effectively harnesses industrial synergies to generate substantial value and increased copper output for both companies as well as Chile. He emphasized that securing the requisite permits for Los Bronces-Andina in a timely manner is now the critical next phase, which will unlock the targeted expansion in volume and profitability for all stakeholders and the nation.
The full execution of the shared mining strategy remains contingent upon obtaining the necessary environmental approvals and meeting standard regulatory benchmarks, with finalization projected for 2030. Concurrently, the terms preserve the right for both Anglo American and Codelco to progress their respective independent initiatives, specifically the development of their underground reserves, in a synchronized manner throughout the interim period.
Codelco chairman Bernardo Fontaine stated: "This agreement paves a more efficient and responsible path for developing one of the world’s foremost copper districts. By maximizing our existing infrastructure, we can secure greater value for Chile while advancing a long-term strategy rooted in operational excellence, sustainability, and conscientious resource use. It is concrete proof that collaboration enhances value without sacrificing the rigor, discipline, and commitment that define Codelco today."
Rio Tinto and BHP Forge New Pilbara Iron Ore Partnership
Rio Tinto and BHP have agreed to collaborate on iron ore mining in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, targeting up to 200 million tonnes from their neighbouring Yandicoogina and Yandi operations.
The initiative, outlined in two non-binding memorandums of understanding, includes joint development of Rio Tinto’s Wunbye deposit as well as the processing of ore from BHP’s Yandi Lower Channel Deposit using Rio Tinto’s wet processing facilities under mutually agreed terms.
This latest collaboration builds on a 2022 agreement between the two mining giants to extract ore from the Mungadoo Pillar, an area previously inaccessible due to shared tenure boundaries.
Matthew Holcz, CEO of Rio Tinto Iron Ore, stated: “By operating more efficiently, we can make better use of existing infrastructure to increase production with minimal additional investment.”
“Together, we will extend the life of these operations, generate further value, and continue supporting Western Australian jobs and local communities.”
The two mining giants have outlined a phased approach, starting with a conceptual study and followed by an order-of-magnitude study. A final investment decision will determine when ore extraction begins from both deposits, which is expected early next decade.
The project’s implementation depends on regulatory and joint venture approvals, as well as consultations with traditional landowners.
Tim Day, President of BHP’s WA Iron Ore asset, commented: “This is a clear demonstration of productivity in action, unlocking new opportunities by maximizing the value of our existing resources. By sharing our expertise and infrastructure, we can generate fresh value and deliver benefits for our people, partners, customers, and communities.”
Located 178 kilometres north-west of Newman in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, on the traditional lands of the Banjima people, the Yandi iron ore mine is part of a joint venture comprising BHP (85%) and Mitsui & ITOCHU (15%). Since operations began, the mine has achieved significant production milestones.
Approximately 95 kilometres north-west of Newman in East Pilbara lies Yandicoogina, another high-output mine in the region. It produces Hamersley Iron Yandi fines, which are used in steelmaking across East Asia and Southern China. Yandicoogina is also a leader in mining innovation, having pioneered the use of autonomous haul trucks.
In a separate development last December, BHP and Rio Tinto unveiled Australia’s first Cat 793 XE Early Learner battery-electric haul trucks at BHP’s Jimblebar mine. This launch marked the start of trials for Caterpillar’s battery-electric technology, positioning it as a sustainable replacement for diesel in large-scale mining. The tests will help shape the technological and operational advancements needed to cut greenhouse gas emissions at future mine sites.
Earlier this month, Rio Tinto and Glencore revealed they are in preliminary merger talks that could create the world’s largest mining group, with a combined market capitalization of nearly $207 billion.
Dalaroo Metals Uncovers District-Scale Critical Minerals System at Greenland’s Blue Lagoon
Dalaroo Metals has announced a major breakthrough from its initial 2025 exploration campaign at the wholly owned Blue Lagoon project in Greenland, revealing a district-scale system rich in critical minerals including zirconium, hafnium, and rare earth elements (REEs) across a 2.7-kilometre strike.
This represents the first sampling effort at Blue Lagoon since 1979. All 113 samples returned anomalous values, pointing to the emergence of a promising new critical metals district. Notably, concentrations exceeding 2% zirconium oxide and 40 parts per million (ppm) hafnium oxide have been identified across the entire strike length in both auger holes and sediment samples.
This points to a broad, well-mineralized target area. Hafnium is essential for next-generation microchips and semiconductors because of its high dielectric constant, which enables it to store far more electrical charge than traditional silicon dioxide-based semiconductors. Hafnium oxide boasts a dielectric constant roughly six times that of silicon dioxide and one of the highest melting points of any compound, resulting in a more than 1,000-fold reduction in electron leakage through transistors compared to silicon dioxide.
The current indicative sale price for high-purity hafnium oxide stands at A$16,297 per kilogram (US$10,924.3 per kilogram), reflecting its advanced chemical properties, rising demand in high-tech applications, and the scarcity of hafnium-bearing minerals. Additionally, the Blue Lagoon project returned high-grade rare earth element (REE) results, with elevated magnet rare earth oxides (REOs) encountered at the surface.
According to Dalaroo Metals, the presence of heavy rare earth oxides (REOs), particularly those enriched in dysprosium and terbium, underscores the potential of this previously overlooked district.
Notably, sampling at Blue Lagoon returned low uranium levels, with a maximum reading of 25 ppm triuranium octoxide. This result, which is well below Greenland’s 100 ppm uranium permitting threshold, could help simplify processing complexities.
Dalaroo Metals CEO John Morgan described the maiden results as a highly encouraging start to modern exploration at the Blue Lagoon project, saying they strongly validate the historical geochemical anomalies identified by the Greenland and Denmark Geological Survey (GEUS) that first drew the company to the area.
He noted that the scale and consistency of rare earth, niobium, and zirconium anomalism across a roughly 2.7, kilometer strike, combined with exceptionally low levels of uranium and thorium, confirm a robust and regionally extensive critical minerals system.
Although these results come from first-pass surface sampling, Morgan added that they already show grades comparable to early-stage results from several globally recognized alkaline-hosted rare earth systems in Greenland. Most importantly, he said, this work confirms that the project hosts a fertile mineral system with clear potential to grow through systematic follow-up exploration.
The initial program has successfully established the geochemical foundation to guide further exploration.
These results will be integrated with geological mapping, mineralogical assessments, and remote sensing data to refine priority target zones.
Next steps include infill sampling, trenching, and shallow drilling to investigate the origin and structural controls of the anomalous zones, as well as to assess their continuity and grade distribution.
Dalaroo Metals is fully funded following its recent capital raising at A$0.055 per share, announced in October 2025. The proceeds will support upcoming activities at the Blue Lagoon project and drilling campaigns in Côte d’Ivoire.
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