Australian Critical Minerals Flint Project Secures Drilling Permits for Gold-Silver Targets

ACM Secures Final Drilling Approval at Flint Gold-Silver Project as Geophysics Reveals Major Target

Australian Critical Minerals Ltd (ASX:ACM) has announced the granting of its drill permit for the Gaya 103 concession at its Australian Critical Minerals Flint Project in Peru, clearing the final regulatory hurdle needed to commence drilling operations. The company has received approval for drill pad locations positioned directly over a large, continuous resistive body identified through ongoing NSAMT geophysical surveys, interpreted as the core of a high-sulphidation gold-silver system.

The NSAMT survey has revealed statistically anomalous tellurium values between 100 and 1,000 times greater than background levels, with arsenic concentrations reaching up to 10,000 ppm – both key pathfinder elements for high-sulphidation epithermal systems. Furthermore, ACM plans to drill up to 10 diamond drillholes to test these targets, with drilling preparations now underway.

"We are very encouraged to see the emerging resistive core giving us a clearer understanding of the subsurface geometry of this high-sulphidation system. The current geophysics information continues to validate the potential we see at Flint," commented Executive Chairman Dean de Largie.

Geophysical Survey Expands Target Footprint

The ongoing NSAMT (Natural Source Audio-frequency Magnetotelluric) survey is progressing rapidly southward across the broader Australian Critical Minerals Flint Project area, expanding the target footprint and adding further exploration potential ahead of drilling. Current analysis covers the initial six geophysics lines out of a planned 14 survey lines.

Additionally, the preliminary NSAMT data indicates vertical continuity from approximately 100m to 300m from surface, with the resistivity anomalies showing strong correlation with surface geochemical patterns. This alignment between geophysical and geochemical data provides confidence in the targeting approach for the project.

Key Geophysical Findings:

Understanding High-Sulphidation Epithermal Systems

High-sulphidation epithermal systems represent some of the world's most significant gold and silver deposits. These systems form when hot, acidic fluids from magmatic sources rise through the crust, creating zones of intense alteration and mineralisation.

Key characteristics include:

• Silicified cores that act as traps for gold-silver mineralisation
• Pathfinder elements like tellurium, bismuth, and arsenic that indicate system proximity
• Resistive geophysical signatures from the silicified, often vuggy core zones

The NSAMT geophysics provides subsurface indication of the geometry and location of these silicified cores, which are crucial targets for drilling in epithermal systems. However, high-sulphidation systems are commonly associated with elevated levels of bismuth, tellurium and arsenic. The Australian Critical Minerals Flint Project has all of these geochemical pathfinder trace elements, some at exceptional concentrations.

Advanced 3D Modelling to Guide Drilling Strategy

ACM is taking a sophisticated approach to drill targeting by integrating the full geophysical dataset into a 3D inversion model once the current survey is completed. This advanced modelling technique offers several advantages over preliminary 2D interpretations.

In addition, this data-driven approach ensures exploration capital is deployed effectively, testing the most prospective areas of the Flint system with the highest probability of success. The company will update the market with the finalised drill targets once the 3D inversion model is completed and interpreted in the coming weeks.

3D Inversion Model Benefits:

• Corrects for surface distortions caused by complex topography
• Defines precise latitude, longitude, and depth of resistive bodies
• Reveals true shape, dip, and plunge of drill targets
• Optimises drill hole orientation for maximum intersection potential
• De-risks the drilling programme through enhanced geological confidence

World-Class District Location

The Australian Critical Minerals Flint Project is strategically positioned within one of the world's premier epithermal gold-silver belts, which has produced over 40 million ounces of gold. The region ranks as the 3rd largest silver producer globally and 6th largest gold producer.

Furthermore, the project's location only three kilometres east of the San Juan Porphyry Copper project provides additional geological context, with potential continuity of geochemistry between the two systems as exploration progresses. San Juan occurs 700m lower in the topography than Flint, providing elevation advantages for potential future development scenarios.

Regional Context:

What Are the Upcoming Catalysts and Timeline?

ACM is positioned for a strong pipeline of news flow in the coming weeks and months with multiple value catalysts approaching:

Immediate Term (Next Few Weeks):

• Completion of NSAMT survey (14 total lines)
• 3D inversion modelling and interpretation
• Finalised drill targets and collar positioning
• Drilling preparations and mobilisation

Near Term (Q1 2025):

• Commencement of drilling programme (up to 10 holes)
• Initial drilling results from core targets
• Systematic testing of the resistive anomalies

Medium Term:

• Environmental approvals for southern project area
• Expanded drilling programme based on initial results
• Resource definition activities if warranted

The company has notified the Ministry of Mines of its intention to commence drilling activities, with the notification received and accepted by the Ministry.

Investment Thesis: Tier-1 Discovery Potential

ACM's Flint Project presents compelling investment characteristics that warrant close investor attention. The combination of regulatory clearance, advanced geophysical targeting, and world-class district location creates multiple pathways to value creation.

For instance, the preliminary NSAMT modelling has revealed a large, continuous resistive body interpreted as the core of the high-sulphidation gold-silver system. Arsenic acts as a system pathfinder as it disperses more widely than tellurium, which itself is a significant pathfinder for the core of a high-sulphidation system. Much of the project area hosts assays exceeding 2,000ppm arsenic, with some locations returning concentrations up to 10,000 ppm.

Key Investment Drivers:

Why Should Investors Track ACM?

Australian Critical Minerals has positioned itself strategically within Peru's premier mining jurisdiction. The systematic approach to exploration, combining cutting-edge geophysical techniques with proven geological understanding, provides multiple pathways to value creation.

Moreover, the company is working alongside globally recognised Southernrock Geophysics and the highly experienced Arce Geophysics team in Peru. This technical partnership brings additional expertise to the targeting and interpretation of the geophysical data.

Key reasons to follow ACM:

• Imminent drilling at a world-class epithermal target
• Advanced geological understanding through 3D modelling
• Experienced management team with proven track record
• Strategic location in a premier gold-silver district
• Strong technical partnerships with globally recognised specialists

"With drill permits secured and advanced geophysical targeting complete, ACM is poised to test one of the most compelling epithermal gold-silver targets in Peru. The combination of exceptional geochemistry, strong geophysical anomalies, and world-class district location creates significant discovery upside potential for early investors."

The upcoming drilling programme represents a pivotal moment for ACM, with results expected to provide definitive answers about the scale and grade potential of the Flint system. The drill permit allows ACM to drill the highly prospective NSAMT resistivity anomalies from the approved drill pad locations, with environmental approval including private property access agreements.

Therefore, for investors seeking exposure to high-impact precious metals exploration in a proven mining jurisdiction, ACM's systematic approach and advanced targeting methodology make it a compelling story to follow closely. The Australian Critical Minerals Flint Project stands as a testament to the value of combining rigorous geological science with strategic positioning in world-class mining districts.

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