Pioneer Minerals (ASX:PMM) has identified a high-priority bedrock conductor adjacent to the historic Springfield Tungsten Mine in central Idaho, US, following the interpretation of its recently completed airborne versatile time domain electromagnetic (VTEM) survey.
Independent interpretation by Mitre Geophysics identified a shallow conductive body commencing approximately 50–70m below surface.
Pioneer notes the preferred model comprises an approximately 70m by 140m conductive plate with modelled conductance of approximately 130 Siemens.
According to the company, the conductor is interpreted to potentially represent the pyrrhotite-rich sulphide component of the Springfield tungsten mineral system concealed beneath shallow cover.
The conductor spatially coincides with the company’s previously identified regional magnetic anomaly, which provides a second independent geophysical dataset that supports Pioneer’s geological model.
The electromagnetic (EM) conductor is located immediately adjacent to the historic Springfield Tungsten Mine, which produced tungsten concentrates during the 1950s under the US Government’s strategic minerals program.
CEO Michael Beven says identification of a discrete EM conductor represents a ‘major step forward’ for the project.
“The VTEM survey has identified a concealed bedrock conductor in exactly the geological setting where we would expect to see the sulphide-rich component of the Springfield tungsten system,” Beven notes.
“While drilling will ultimately determine the source, thickness, and mineralisation associated with the conductor, its proximity to the historic mine, coincidence with the regional magnetic anomaly, and consistency with the known scheelite-pyrrhotite association make this one of the highest-priority drill targets identified by Pioneer to date.”
Pioneer observes that the VTEM survey represents a key advancement in the de-risking of Springfield as the conductor can be directly tested via drilling.
Multiple independent exploration datasets — including rock chip geochemistry, petrography, airborne magnetic interpretation, and airborne EM surveying — now converge on the same target area, which increases the company’s confidence in its exploration model.
Previous rock chip sampling at Springfield returned ‘high-grade’ tungsten results of up to 2.98% tungsten trioxide.
Pioneer is now executing an integrated program ahead of maiden drilling at the project, with geological mapping, structural interpretation, and final drill planning already underway.
Workstreams aim to refine geological controls on mineralisation and validate the interpretation, along with possible additional ground geophysical surveys, prior to finalising drill targets.
Separately, Pioneer has physically staked 212 lode claims at the North Pine Project in Idaho, with tenure status subject to final confirmation by the Bureau of Land Management.
Pioneer Minerals is an explorer focused on discovering critical minerals in North America and Namibia, with an emphasis on tungsten, uranium, and lithium.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: Pioneer Minerals
