Kingfisher Mining Ltd (ASX:KFM) has confirmed high-grade silver-lead-zinc mineralisation at the Stephens Trig prospect near Broken Hill, with its first drilling at the project since 2017 validating historical results and highlighting further exploration potential.
The maiden modern reverse circulation (RC) program comprised five holes for 584 metres and tested historically defined mineralisation at Stephens Trig, about 15 kilometres north of Broken Hill in New South Wales.
Among the strongest results was 5 metres at 7.4% combined lead and zinc (Pb+Zn) and 10 g/t silver from 79 metres, including 2 metres at 17.5% Pb+Zn and 24 g/t silver.
Other intersections included 1 metre at 9.3% Pb+Zn and 40 g/t silver from 85 metres, while a separate interval returned a standout silver grade of 198 g/t over 1 metre from 111 metres.
Significant results from the latest drilling include:
- 5m @ 7.4% Pb+Zn and 10 g/t Ag from 79m incl. 2m @ 17.5% Pb+Zn and 24g/t Ag from 79m and 4m @ 3.2% Pb+Zn and 11 g/t Ag from 67m, incl. 1m @ 8.3% Pb+Zn and 36 g/t Ag from 70m (26STRC_018).
- 4m @ 2.7% Pb+Zn and 4 g/t Ag from 82m incl. 1m @ 5.2% Pb+Zn and 2 g/t Ag from 83m (26STRC_019).
- 1m @ 9.3% Pb+Zn and 40 g/t Ag from 85m and 1m @ 1.5% Pb+Zn and 198 g/t Ag from 111m (26STRC_020).
The latest results build on historical drilling, which returned:
- 12m @ 9% Pb+Zn and 10g/t Ag from 110m
- 6m @ 10.2% Pb+Zn and 10 g/t Ag from 51m
- 6m @ 5.1% Pb+Zn and 8 g/t Ag from 40m
Stephens Trig -Collar locations.
“These results are particularly encouraging given Stephens Trig has not seen drilling since 2017. Our first drilling program has validated the historical mineralisation and returned multiple high-grade silver-lead-zinc intersections, including a standout silver result of 198 grams per tonne,” Kingfisher managing director Chris Bittar said.
“Stephens Trig adds another high-grade base and precious metals opportunity to our broader Broken Hill portfolio, alongside Allendale and our flagship Copper Blow copper-gold project.
“Importantly, our relationship with Broken Hill Mines provides a strategic advantage, with access to existing regional mining and processing infrastructure offering the potential for an accelerated, low-capital pathway to production, subject to further exploration, resource definition and technical and commercial studies.
“We will now integrate the results with historical drilling and geological data to identify priority targets for follow-up exploration.”
Drilling validates Stephens Trig potential
The latest program represents the first significant drilling at Stephens Trig in almost a decade and confirmed both the presence and continuity of the Broken Hill-style mineralised system.
Hole 26STRC_018 showed mineralisation continuing at depth, while drilling also confirmed continuity along strike beneath shallow cover. The company said the high-grade zinc-lead zones are frequently associated with elevated silver grades.
Stephens Trig is defined by a 1.5-kilometre lead-zinc geochemical anomaly beneath alluvial cover and is considered one of the larger poorly exposed Broken Hill-type mineralised zones outside the district’s main Line of Lode.
Kingfisher holds a 75% interest in the Stephens Trig tenement, with Broken Hill Mines holding the remaining 25%.
Builds Broken Hill exploration pipeline
The prospect adds another silver-lead-zinc target to Kingfisher’s Broken Hill portfolio alongside Allendale and its flagship Copper Blow copper-gold project.
Kingfisher also has a Mining and Processing Agreement with Broken Hill Mines that provides a framework to potentially use existing regional processing infrastructure, offering an alternative to developing standalone processing facilities should future exploration and technical studies support development.
The company will now integrate the Stephens Trig results with historical drilling and geological data to assess continuity and identify priority areas for potential follow-up exploration.