Tartana Minerals Returns to Nightflower Drilling Targeting 47 Moz AgEq
Key Takeaways
- Tartana Minerals (ASX: TAT) has commenced drilling at the Nightflower Silver Project in Far North Queensland — the first drill program at the site since 2008, nearly two decades of inactivity.
- The initial program targets the Digger Lode, which hosts a previously reported Exploration Target ranging from 32 Moz AgEq (lower) to 47 Moz AgEq (upper) across a polymetallic silver-lead-zinc-copper-gold-antimony system.
- Rock-chip samples collected from historical workings across both the Digger and Terrace Lodes have been submitted for laboratory analysis, with assay results pending.
- The Terrace Lode, located south of Digger, has not been drilled since 1990 and forms part of the broader exploration sequencing under consideration for future phases.
- The Exploration Target is conceptual in nature under the JORC Code — no Mineral Resource has been estimated, and results from the current program will determine how the next phase of exploration is structured.
Drilling returns to Nightflower Silver for the first time in 18 years
Tartana Minerals (ASX: TAT) has commenced drilling at the Nightflower Silver Project in Far North Queensland, marking the first drill program at the site since 2008. The project sits approximately 40km north of Chillagoe in Far North Queensland, and the return to active drilling represents a meaningful operational step forward after nearly two decades of inactivity.
Mobilisation was expedited following the completion of a Conduct and Compensation Agreement and associated site access works. With those enabling steps finalised, Tartana’s UDR650 truck-mounted rig is now on site and drilling has begun.
When big ASX news breaks, our subscribers know first
What drilling at Digger Lode is targeting
The initial program is focused on the Digger Lode, targeting polymetallic silver-lead-dominant mineralisation within and around the historically defined lode system. The Digger Lode hosts a previously reported Exploration Target with the following parameters:
- Lower range: 2.75 Mt at 364 g/t AgEq for approximately 32 Moz AgEq
- Upper range: 5.36 Mt at 270 g/t AgEq for approximately 47 Moz AgEq
- Mineralisation type: Polymetallic (Ag-Pb-Zn-Cu-Au-Sb)
The AgEq figures were calculated using 2024 year-to-date metal prices and metallurgical recoveries. The key price assumptions used were:
- Silver: US$27/oz
- Gold: US$2,265/oz
- Copper: US$9,241/t
- Zinc: US$2,710/t
- Lead: US$2,135/t
- Antimony: US$10,000/t (approximate)
The Terrace Lode, located south of Digger, has not been drilled since 1990 and forms part of the broader exploration sequencing under consideration.
The Exploration Target is conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource, and there is no certainty that further exploration will result in the estimation of a Mineral Resource.
Sonny Didugu, Executive Chairman, Tartana Minerals
“Commencing drilling at Nightflower is an important milestone for Tartana and follows the work undertaken over recent weeks to finalise land access and get our team and drill rig onto site.
“Nightflower has not been drilled since 2008 despite the scale of the previously reported Exploration Target at Digger and the historical workings extending through the broader project area.
“Our immediate focus is on testing the Digger Lode and building our understanding of the system through drilling, field mapping and sampling. The results from this work will guide how we sequence the next phase of exploration, including further work across Digger and the Terrace Lode to the south.”
| Range | Tonnage | Grade (AgEq) | Contained AgEq |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower | 2.75 Mt | 364 g/t | ~32 Moz |
| Upper | 5.36 Mt | 270 g/t | ~47 Moz |
Understanding silver-lead exploration targets — what investors should know
An Exploration Target under the JORC Code is a conceptual range of tonnes and grade, not a certified Mineral Resource. It tells you that historical work suggests mineralisation may exist within a certain scale, but it has not been verified to the standard required to classify it as a resource. Moving from an Exploration Target to a Mineral Resource estimate requires systematic drilling, data compilation, and independent assessment by a qualified Competent Person.
AgEq, or silver equivalent, is a way explorers express the combined value of multiple metals in a single unit. Because the Digger Lode contains silver, gold, copper, zinc, lead, and antimony, reporting each metal separately can obscure the overall grade picture. By converting all metals to a silver equivalent using current metal prices and assumed metallurgical recoveries, geologists produce a single grade figure that reflects total contained value. It is important to note that the AgEq figure depends directly on those price and recovery assumptions, which can change.
At Nightflower, the combination of scale (up to approximately 47 Moz AgEq in the upper range), an extended period of inactivity since 2008, and now renewed systematic drilling makes this a project worth monitoring. That said, the Exploration Target remains conceptual, and the current program is the first step toward building the geological understanding needed to refine it.
The next major ASX story will hit our subscribers first
Field work expands and next steps come into focus
In parallel with drilling preparations, Tartana completed extensive field reconnaissance across both the Digger and Terrace Lodes. Rock-chip samples were collected from historical workings, outcrop, and other areas of geological interest identified during the programme. Those samples have been submitted for laboratory analysis, with assay results pending.
The company intends to integrate drilling results, rock-chip assays, and field mapping with its ongoing review of historical exploration data. This approach is consistent with Tartana’s broader stated strategy of systematically assessing its portfolio before committing capital to larger drilling programmes.
The near-term pipeline of expected outputs is as follows:
- Assay results from rock-chip sampling across the Digger and Terrace Lodes (pending)
- Initial drilling results from the Digger Lode
- Integration of drilling and sampling results with historical data review
- Determination of the next phase of exploration, including further work at both lodes
Management has indicated the current results will guide how the broader Nightflower exploration sequence is structured. No timeframes for results have been specified in the announcement.
Don’t Miss the Next ASX Silver Breakout
Get FREE breaking ASX mining news delivered to your inbox within minutes of release, complete with in-depth analysis already done for you. Join 30,000+ subscribers staying ahead of the market on silver, gold, copper and beyond. Click the “Free Alerts” button at Big News Blast to start receiving alerts the moment news breaks.