Aruma Resources (ASX:AAJ) plans to begin the next phase of fieldwork at the Saltwater Project in Western Australia, to follow-up on gallium assay results.
In February 2025, the company received results from an ongoing soil and rock chip sampling program, which identified two gallium in-soil anomalies that are considered geophysical anomalies.
At the Talmine prospect, assay results included 136.05 grams per tonne gallium oxide and 60.87g/t gallium oxide.
The company will now conduct infill and extensional soil sampling to vector in on drill targets for first-pass drilling, as well as further reconnaissance and rock chip sampling.
Upon completion, Aruma will undertake an analysis of high-resolution satellite and hyperspectral data and further analysis of gold and base metals pathfinder elements and bedrock geology.
The company will then conduct reprocessing of available geophysical data to enhance Saltwater’s geological and targeting models.
Managing Director Grant Ferguson says the soil sampling programs were designed to uncover gold, base metals and critical minerals across multiple structural and geophysical targets, which have been uncovered in preparation for potential future drilling.
“The identification of high-grade gallium, a high-value high demand critical mineral, at the Talmine prospect is highly encouraging, and our upcoming next phase of field work will seek to expand the understanding of the geological structure, lithologies and indicators of mineralisation at the Saltwater Project to vector in on targets for planned first-pass drilling, subject to results,” Ferguson says.
The Talmine prospect was identified from a prominent magnetic and electromagnetic anomaly extending 1.2km in length.
Aruma says the presence of highly anomalous gallium mineralisation is known to be associated with aluminium in lateritic and bauxite deposits and sphalerite in multiple styles of base metals mineralisation. This is associated with the company’s targeted base metal geological and mineralisation models at Saltwater.
The global gallium market is dominated by China, which accounted for nearly 98% of the global production in 2023, according to the US Geological Survey.
Due to China imposing a ban on gallium exports to the US, as well as the mineral’s growing use in military applications, semi-conductors, and electronics, gallium’s demand outlook has strengthened.
According to Grand View Research, the global gallium market size was estimated at US$25.2 million in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7% from 2024 to 2030.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Aruma Resources
