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Trigg Minerals Secures Major Antimony Resource with Achilles Project Acquisition

Written by Staff Writer | Sep 30, 2024 11:04:41 AM
Trigg Minerals Limited (ASX: TMG) has announced a significant acquisition that strengthens its position in the global antimony market. The company recently signed a binding agreement to acquire the Achilles Antimony Project in northern New South Wales from Anchor Resources Pty Ltd, a move that could reshape Trigg’s mineral portfolio. The Achilles Project includes the Wild Cattle Creek (WCC) Antimony Deposit, a high-grade resource that places Trigg among the leading antimony players globally.


The Achilles Antimony Project

Located approximately 40 km west of Coffs Harbour, the Achilles Project spans 13 units over 40 km² and hosts Australia’s second-largest antimony deposit. The Wild Cattle Creek (WCC) deposit has an estimated JORC 2012-compliant resource of 610,000 tonnes at 2.56% Sb, containing 15,600 tonnes of antimony. This places it behind only the Hillgrove deposit in New South Wales in terms of scale. What’s more, historical exploration has revealed ultra-high grades, with intersections such as 10.7 metres at 14.24% Sb and 18.7 metres at 4.5% Sb, further underscoring the potential of the asset .

Timothy Morrison, Executive Chairman of Trigg, expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition, stating that it aligns perfectly with the company’s recent focus on antimony. "Acquiring the Achilles Project is a significant bolstering of our existing portfolio. The high-grade, high-tonnage nature of the Wild Cattle Creek deposit positions Trigg to play a major role in securing global antimony supply," Morrison said.

The Role of Antimony in Modern Industry

Antimony is classified as a critical mineral, with demand driven by its application in flame retardants, battery technologies, and military uses, including missile guidance and night vision systems. It is also an important component in lead-acid batteries and emerging EV (electric vehicle) battery technologies . With China controlling nearly 50% of global antimony output and recently imposing export restrictions, securing a reliable supply outside of China has become a strategic priority for industries across the globe .

The Terms of the Deal

Trigg’s acquisition of the Achilles Project comes as part of a non-cash transaction, preserving the company’s financial resources for future exploration. The agreement involves the issue of AU$450,000 worth of Trigg shares to Anchor Resources in two tranches, contingent upon shareholder and regulatory approval. In addition, the vendor will retain a 1% net smelter return (NSR) royalty on all minerals extracted from the tenement .

Further exploration work is planned, with Trigg aiming to expand the WCC resource and investigate several other targets within the tenement. The project also holds potential for tungsten and gold, which are enriched within the deposit, adding to its commercial appeal .

What’s Next for Trigg?

Trigg’s immediate plans include further geological mapping, sampling, and a detailed review of historical data on the Wild Cattle Creek deposit. The company is also looking into modernising the metallurgy, with historical tests showing antimony recoveries of over 95% achievable through conventional milling and flotation. Further work will focus on leveraging advancements in metallurgical techniques, which could unlock even greater value from the deposit .

The Achilles acquisition also dovetails with Trigg’s existing assets in the antimony sector, such as the Taylors Arm and Spartan projects, further solidifying its foothold in Australia’s antimony landscape.