Pioneer Minerals (ASX:PMM) has submitted a plan of operations to the United States Forest Service for phase one drilling at the Springfield prospect in Idaho.
The company describes the submission as a ‘major permitting milestone’ for the North Pine Project, advancing the tungsten-gallium prospect toward drill testing.
The proposed drilling campaign will cover 15 reverse circulation drillholes to depths of 200m, as well as up to 20 shallow drill holes within the historical Springfield Mine footprint.
Drilling will target extensions of known scheelite-hosted tungsten mineralisation, associated gold systems, and emerging gallium anomalies. Drilling will be included in the 2026 field season and is subject to approvals and site accessibility.
Recent rock chip sampling at Springfield delivered standout gallium results up to 128.7 parts per million (ppm) gallium oxide, with 12 samples exceeding 60ppm and 10 samples above 40ppm. The company confirmed widespread gallium enrichment across a continuous anomalous zone within the Springfield system.
High-grade tungsten assays reached 2.98% tungsten trioxide, with additional strong results including 0.96%, 0.93% and 0.83%. Gold assays peaked at 7.75 grams per tonne, supported by results of 1.51g/t and 1.49g/t.
Pioneer says geochemistry confirms two distinct mineralising systems comprising a scheelite-bearing skarn system and an independent gold-silver vein system.
Historical tailings delivered 3.27% tungsten trioxide concentrate with a 17.6-fold upgrade in preliminary testwork.
CEO Michael Beven says the submission marks a significant step forward in advancing Springfield toward drilling and potential development.
“The program has been specifically designed as a low-impact exploration campaign, leveraging the extensive historic disturbance already present at the Springfield Mine,” Beven says.
“With high-grade tungsten and gold results already established, and the recent identification of widespread gallium mineralisation, Springfield is emerging as a highly prospective critical minerals project.”
Pioneer is progressing several parallel initiatives including evaluation of modular processing plant concepts, rehabilitation of historic access roads, and a planned electromagnetic survey targeting sulphide zones.
The company will also pursue critical minerals funding initiatives from the US Government while advancing Springfield towards near-term tungsten production.
Pioneer Minerals is a North American critical minerals explorer, advancing a portfolio of tungsten, antimony, uranium, and lithium projects.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Pioneer Minerals
