How EV Resources Plans to Fast-Track Antimony Production Amid Global Shortage

Strategic Exploration Launch

EV Resources Ltd (ASX, EVR) has initiated a pivotal exploration program at its Los Lirios Antimony Project in Oaxaca, Mexico, marking a decisive step towards restarting production. The company’s dual-track approach aims to both quantify the size and grade of the deposit and simultaneously advance a 100 tonnes per day pilot plant to generate early cashflow.

This strategy is particularly timely given the current global antimony supply constraints. China, the dominant producer of antimony, has imposed strict export bans, creating a premium market for secure, high-grade, non-Chinese sources. Los Lirios, with its exceptional grades and low impurities, is well positioned to fill this supply gap.

High-Grade, Low-Cost Potential

Historical sampling from Los Lirios’ open pits has revealed outstanding surface grades, with antimony concentrations reaching as high as 9.9% Sb and a composite grade of 4.45% Sb. The mineralogy is dominated by stibiconite and stibnite, both fully liberated and amenable to simple, low-cost gravity and flotation processing methods. This mineralogical profile supports a rapid and cost-effective production restart.

The exploration program, led by experienced geologists including Miguel Barahona and Mariano Carrizales, involves 15 trenches spaced at 50 meters across historical pits, comprehensive sampling, metallurgical testing, and mapping along a 7-kilometer strike length. Results from trenching are expected by October 2025, which will inform a planned drilling campaign in December.

Fast-Tracking Production Amid Market Opportunity

EV Resources is not only focused on exploration but is actively progressing site negotiations and permitting for the pilot plant. This parallel development is designed to capture early revenues and secure market share during a period of global supply shortfall. Chairman Shane Menere emphasized the strategic importance of Los Lirios, highlighting its potential to deliver high-grade, low-impurity antimony quickly to the market.

While the company remains cautious about the inherent risks in exploration and development, the combination of strong grades, simple processing, and a tightening global supply chain creates a compelling case for EV Resources to emerge as a key player in the antimony sector.