Bioleaching Success Spurs Octava’s Byro Drilling—Can It Deliver a Viable Resource?
Octava Minerals is set to launch an exploration drilling program at its Byro Critical Minerals Project following impressive bioleaching recoveries of rare earths, lithium, and vanadium. The initiative aims to define a maiden resource and advance the project’s development.
- Exploration drilling planned over 10km by 8km area targeting Coyrie Formation
- Bioleaching tests show excellent recoveries of rare earth elements, lithium, and vanadium
- Drilling to support maiden resource estimation and larger scale bioleaching trials
- Byro Project covers 555 km2 in Western Australia with strong historical data
- Approvals and preparations for drilling are progressing well
Exploration Momentum Builds at Byro
Octava Minerals Ltd (ASX – OCT) has announced plans to commence an exploration drilling program at its Byro Critical Minerals Project, located in Western Australia's Gascoyne Region. This move follows promising bioleaching test results that demonstrated excellent recoveries of rare earth elements, lithium, and vanadium from samples taken at the site. The drilling program aims to establish a maiden resource, a critical step towards advancing the project towards potential development.
The planned drilling will cover a substantial footprint of approximately 10 kilometers by 8 kilometers, targeting the Coyrie Formation; a key geological unit known for its interbedded black shale and siltstone. Drilling will reach depths of around 55 meters, focusing on zones that have previously shown enhanced grades of critical minerals. The program is designed on a 2km by 2km grid centered on two diamond drill holes that provided samples for the successful bioleaching tests.
Bioleaching Breakthroughs Signal Potential
Recent laboratory bioleaching work conducted by independent groups BiotataTEC and CSIRO has revealed significant recoveries of rare earth elements, lithium, and vanadium using lab-grown microbes. These results suggest the potential for a large-scale heap leach operation at Byro, which could offer a cost-effective and environmentally friendlier extraction method compared to traditional processing techniques.
Octava’s Managing Director, Bevan Wakelam, highlighted the scale of the opportunity, noting that the black shale hosting the critical minerals extends over 25 kilometers of strike. He expressed optimism about the project’s potential and the upcoming drilling program’s role in unlocking further value.
Strategic Location and Historical Data Support Ambitions
The Byro Project spans two granted exploration licenses totaling 555 square kilometers, situated 220 kilometers southeast of Carnarvon and within reach of infrastructure such as the Geraldton port and power from the Northwest gas pipeline. Historical exploration by the Geological Survey of Western Australia and previous operators like Pioneer Resources has identified large anomalous halos of rare earth oxides and lithium over extensive strike lengths, reinforcing the project's promise.
Octava’s upcoming aircore drilling program, comprising approximately 18 holes, will build on this foundation by providing fresh geological and geochemical data essential for resource estimation. The program will also supply material for further bioleaching testwork at a larger scale, potentially validating the economic viability of the extraction process.
Looking Ahead
With approvals and preparations well underway, Octava is positioning itself to advance the Byro Project from exploration towards resource definition. The company’s integrated approach, combining innovative bioleaching technology with targeted drilling, could set a new benchmark for critical minerals development in Australia.
Bottom Line?
Octava’s next drilling results will be pivotal in confirming Byro’s resource potential and shaping its path to production.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the drilling confirm sufficient grades and tonnages to define a maiden resource?
- How scalable and cost-effective will the bioleaching process prove at commercial levels?
- What timelines and regulatory hurdles remain before potential development can proceed?
