EV Resources (ASX:EVR) has commenced geophysical surveys at its 70%-owned Los Lirios Antimony Project while advancing plant refurbishment at Tecomatlán, targeting operational readiness in the second half of 2026.
The company has started controlled-source audio-frequency magnetotellurics (CSAMT) and ground magnetics surveys covering 13 line-kilometres across the Lirios 1 and Lirios 2 areas to identify high-priority drilling zones and generate regional targets.
The surveys will cover 1.3km of strike length over the regional Lirios Fault Zone (LFZ), which extends at least 6km and is considered a critical control over antimony mineralisation within the hydrothermal system.
“The commencement of geophysical surveys is a big step in unlocking the antimony potential of Los Lirios. CSAMT has been chosen as the most appropriate method given presence of stibnite as the dominant sulphide associated with mainly quartz,” Chief Executive Officer Mike Brown says.
CSAMT was selected due to the presence of stibnite as the dominant sulphide associated with quartz gangue. The program will test the responsiveness of mineralisation to this technique, incorporating drilling results to create a geophysical fingerprint for antimony mineralisation.
EVR has also completed 11 diamond drill holes at Los Lirios, marking the first systematic drilling campaign at the project. The holes target a system that has returned surface channel samples up to 30.20% antimony, with assay results pending from the initial program.
More than 90% of the property remains unexplored, with nearly 5km of the highly prospective LFZ yet to be systematically tested alongside multiple north-south fault systems beyond the main structure.
The technical team has identified a previously unrecognised 2m-wide vein structure designated San Miguel adjacent to Pit 5 at Lirios 1. The discovery confirms new near-surface antimony mineralisation at a location with no prior historical exploitation.
Handheld XRF analysis of five channel samples from the San Miguel vein returned antimony values ranging from 0.04% to 3.05%, with cervantite identified as the primary antimony oxide mineral. The samples have been submitted to the CHEMEX laboratory in Zacatecas for formal assay.
At the Tecomatlán Processing Plant, located 50km from Los Lirios, the refurbishment contractor has commenced a five-week program to commission the critical grinding circuit. The work involves rehabilitating three previously installed ball mills ahead of dry commissioning.
Machining and assembly of steel formwork and frames is underway, with electrical circuitry and a 440V backbone being assembled for installation. The milestone-based payment structure continues to align capital deployment with value delivery.
The plant serves as the cornerstone of EVR’s near-term production strategy, providing a gravity-based antimony concentrator at low capital cost and eliminating the need to build processing infrastructure from scratch.
“With nearly 5km of the highly prospective LFZ still to be tested in any detail outside of the current drilling prospects, as well as 90% of the property unexplored, this could unlock an extremely efficient and useful tool for drill targeting and antimony discovery at Lirios,” Brown says.
The company expects to receive drilling assay results within four to 10 weeks, with a maiden JORC mineral resource estimate targeted for the third quarter of 2026. EVR also plans to commence soil sampling programs at its Nevada projects and engage with US Government agencies.
EV Resources is focused on a dual-track strategy of advancing North America’s antimony supply.
Write to Amy Rotman at Mining.com.au
Images: EV Resources
