Pioneer Lithium (ASX: PLN) has returned high-grade tungsten and gold assays and identified a new polymetallic system from rock chip sampling across the North Pine project in Idaho.
The program targeted the Springfield, Silver Cliff, and Northman prospects at the Tier 1 critical minerals asset, located close to the advanced Stibnite antimony-gold development owned by Perpetua Resources.
Sampling at Springfield confirmed a robust reduced scheelite skarn system with returns of up to 2.98% tungsten trioxide, along with additional grades including 0.96%, 0.93%, 0.83%, 0.66%, 0.64%, and 0.62%.
High-grade gold assays of as much as 7.75 grams per tonne, plus elevated silver, antimony, arsenic, and copper pathfinders, indicated a distinct, structurally-hosted precious metal vein system overprinting the tungsten mineralisation.
Precious Metal Target
Gold and silver assays from Silver Cliff showed strong antimony association and defined a new polymetallic precious metal target, with highlights of 3.89g/t gold, 7.9g/t silver and 139 parts per million antimony; 1.1g/t gold, 34.8g/t silver, and 0.1% antimony; 13.4g/t silver with 107ppm antimony; and 0.713g/t gold, 5.6g/t silver, and 56ppm antimony.
Pioneer believes Silver Cliffs’ geology is analogous to the Golden Gate targets at the Horse Heaven antimony project owned by Resolution Minerals (ASX: RML).
While time pressures and restricted access across the northern portion of the tenement limited work at the Northman prospect, the company expects the one sample it collected to provide a useful reference point for refining future work programs across an area of interpreted structural complexity and favourable lithological contacts.
Pioneer will commence targeted field follow-up work on completion of a high-resolution magnetic survey aimed at delineating structural trends, lithological boundaries, and potential skarn-related magnetic responses.
Well-Developed System
“These results clearly validate our view that Springfield hosts a robust and well-developed tungsten skarn system, and provide the strongest evidence to date that this prospect has the potential to develop into a significant tungsten discovery,” chief executive officer Michael Beven said.
“The recognition of a new polymetallic precious metal system at Silver Cliff further strengthens the district-scale potential of North Pine.”
“We now have multiple high-priority targets across the project area, each supported by strong geochemistry and clear geological context, and I am confident our upcoming field programs will continue to unlock value for our shareholders.”
Pioneer has commissioned Precision GeoSurveys to complete an airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, which is expected to commence within December.
The company has also sent approximately 60 kilograms of tailings material from the historical Springfield mine for recovery test work, and another six samples for petrographic description.