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Diablo Resources Limited (ASX:DBO) has delivered exceptional results from its Star Range critical minerals project in Utah, with surface sampling returning some of the highest silver grades ever reported by the company. The latest reconnaissance campaign has identified 880 g/t silver (28.2 oz/t), 7.4% copper, 9.3 g/t gold, and 0.6% antimony, confirming multiple high-grade polymetallic systems across the project area.
These results extend known mineralised trends and define compelling new prospect areas, positioning Star Range as a significant critical minerals opportunity in a tier-1 mining jurisdiction. With 186 unpatented lode claims covering 3,582 acres and excellent infrastructure access, the project is rapidly advancing toward its maiden drilling programme.
Furthermore, the exceptional grades validate the broader geological potential of this Diablo Resources silver discovery, particularly given that no historical drilling has been completed at the newly identified prospect areas.
"These latest results represent a pivotal step forward for the Star Range Project. We have successfully extended mineralisation at our key prospects and, importantly, identified entirely new zones such as East Star, West Star and Silver Gulch, confirming the project hosts multiple polymetallic systems prospective for silver, copper, and antimony." – Lyle Thorne, CEO
The North Star Prospect has delivered the most compelling results from this sampling campaign, with high-grade mineralisation now confirmed across over 3,000 metres of strike length. This represents a significant expansion of the Diablo Resources silver discovery potential at the flagship prospect.
Peak assay results include:
| Sample ID | Silver (g/t) | Gold (g/t) | Copper (%) | Antimony (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MFD094 | 880 | – | – | 0.6 |
| MFD088 | 399 | 9.3 | – | – |
| MFD093 | 427 | – | – | 0.3 |
| MFD092 | 343 | – | 1.13 | 0.1 |
| MFD085 | 198 | – | 2.6 | – |
| MFD083 | 171 | – | 2.4 | – |
The prospect is characterised by multiple structural trends along sediment contacts, identified by numerous historical workings oriented in a northeasterly direction. A 1,500-metre historical silver soil geochemical anomaly aligns with these mineralised trends, creating what the company describes as a "compelling priority drill target."
The geological setting shows silver grades consistently exceeding 1,000 g/t combined with elevated gold, copper, and antimony in vein structures. In addition, this indicates a robust polymetallic system with excellent continuity potential.
Located 1,500 metres east of the South Star Prospect, East Star represents an entirely new discovery with exceptional copper grades that complement the broader Diablo Resources silver discovery. Peak results include 7.4% copper, 300 g/t silver, and 1.4 g/t gold.
Moreover, 13 of 17 samples returned +0.7% copper, whilst 7 samples exceeded 1% copper. The skarn-style mineralisation is hosted in both intrusive and sedimentary rocks, demonstrating geological continuity across varying rock types.
Positioned 1,400 metres west of South Star's northern extent, West Star has revealed significant precious metal potential. Peak results show 692 g/t silver and 1.4 g/t gold, associated with northeasterly trending calcite-silica vein structures.
However, the zone remains open to the northeast for further extension, indicating substantial exploration upside beyond current defined limits.
Building on historical results up to 3,900 g/t silver, recent sampling has extended the Silver Gulch trend to over 900 metres. Latest results include 199 g/t silver and 496 ppm antimony from the northeast-trending calcite-silica vein system.
Importantly, the zone remains open to the northeast, whilst no drilling has ever been completed at any of these prospect areas, representing significant exploration potential for the company's upcoming drilling campaign.
Silver serves dual roles as both a precious metal store of value and critical industrial input. With over 50% of silver demand coming from industrial applications including solar panels, electronics, and medical devices, the metal has experienced explosive growth.
For instance, silver prices have surged over 185% in 2025 to US$80 per ounce, driven by supply shortages and accelerating renewable energy adoption.
Antimony is classified as a critical mineral by the US government due to its essential role in flame retardants, batteries, and military applications. China controls approximately 85% of global antimony supply, creating significant supply chain vulnerabilities.
Furthermore, prices reached a record US$55,000 per tonne in 2025, reflecting these strategic supply concerns and highlighting the importance of Western antimony sources.
Copper remains the backbone of electrification and renewable energy infrastructure. The metal has increased by over 40% in 2025, peaking at US$13,000 per tonne in early 2026, driven by the global transition to renewable energy and electric vehicles.
Consequently, polymetallic projects like Star Range offer diversified exposure to multiple critical minerals within a single asset, reducing commodity risk whilst capturing upside from the global resource transition.
Star Range benefits from exceptional infrastructure and jurisdictional advantages in southwestern Utah. Maintained gravel roads provide year-round access, whilst power lines and gas pipelines are adjacent to the project area.
Additionally, proximity to Union Pacific Railway supports logistics, with the project located just 6 kilometres from Milford township. The area maintains a mining-friendly environment, evidenced by the historical Horn Silver Mine which produced 17 million ounces silver from a single 20-acre claim.
The active Milford Copper Mine operates 9 kilometres north, providing an established skilled workforce and supply chains. The project lies within the historically productive Star Range mineral belt, where mining activity extended into the mid-1960s producing lead, zinc, copper, gold, and silver.
This proven mineralising system provides confidence in the project's geological potential and validates the exploration approach adopted by Diablo Resources.
According to the report, Diablo has commenced multiple parallel workstreams to advance Star Range toward its maiden drilling programme. The drill permitting process is underway with applications submitted, whilst airborne magnetic data interpretation nears completion.
Integration of geophysical data with surface geochemistry and geological mapping continues, alongside assessment of additional 65 rock samples currently at laboratory. Systematic ranking of drill targets based on scale, grade, and continuity potential forms part of the target development process.
Project-wide geological model updates incorporating new data are proceeding, whilst structural architecture analysis aims to optimise drill hole positioning. Regional expansion activities include ongoing reconnaissance sampling to extend known mineralised trends.
The company's systematic approach aims to ensure drill-ready targets with maximum probability of success whilst maintaining optionality for additional discoveries.
The Diablo Resources silver discovery at Star Range represents a compelling critical minerals opportunity with several key investment drivers. Multiple high-grade systems across the 14.5 km² project area offer substantial resource upside potential.
No historical drilling at new prospect areas presents significant exploration opportunity, particularly given extensive strike lengths with open extensions. The proven mineralising system demonstrates historical production pedigree supporting geological confidence.
Several immediate catalysts position the company for value appreciation. The maiden drilling programme is expected within months, whilst additional assay results from 65 pending samples await processing.
Geophysical interpretation and target refinement continue, with potential resource estimation following successful drilling activities. Direct exposure to 185% silver price appreciation provides commodity leverage, whilst critical minerals classification supports strategic value.
The US jurisdiction reduces sovereign and ESG risks compared to other mining regions. Established infrastructure minimises development costs, providing operational advantages over greenfield projects in remote locations.
Diablo Resources has positioned itself at the intersection of critical minerals demand and exceptional geological opportunity. The Star Range project combines world-class grades with tier-1 jurisdiction advantages and infrastructure access rarely found in early-stage exploration assets.
The discovery of multiple new prospects demonstrates the project's district-scale potential, whilst surface grades exceeding 880 g/t silver validate the system's exceptional quality. With no historical drilling at key targets and extensive open extensions, Star Range offers significant exploration potential.
Key Investment Highlights:
• 880 g/t silver surface grades confirm world-class potential
• Multiple prospects across 3,000+ metre strike lengths
• No historical drilling at priority targets
• Tier-1 Utah jurisdiction with excellent infrastructure
• Critical minerals exposure to supply-constrained commodities
• Experienced management team with proven US track record
The Diablo Resources silver discovery has established Star Range as one of the most compelling undeveloped silver-antimony-copper projects in North America. With exceptional surface grades, multiple prospect areas, and clear drilling catalysts ahead, the company offers investors leveraged exposure to critical minerals in a world-class jurisdiction.
The combination of geological potential and strategic timing makes DBO a compelling addition to resource-focused portfolios, particularly given the accelerating demand for critical minerals in the global energy transition.
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