Impact Minerals Unveils High-Grade PGM Channels at Broken Hill Project
Impact Minerals is reigniting exploration at its vast Broken Hill project in NSW, leveraging rising metal prices and a proprietary multi-metal ratio to uncover high-grade platinum group metals and base metals.
- Exploration resumed at 100% owned Broken Hill project amid rising precious and base metal prices
- Proprietary multi-metal ratio using handheld XRF enables real-time targeting of high-grade PGM zones
- Significant high-grade intercepts at Platinum Springs include all six platinum group metals plus copper and nickel
- Discovery of Kambalda-style channel structures suggests potential for multiple high-value deposits
- Follow-up ground EM surveys and drilling planned for early 2026 to expand on promising targets
Renewed Focus on a Historic Mining Hub
Impact Minerals Limited (ASX, IPT) has announced the resumption of exploration activities at its 100% owned Broken Hill project in New South Wales, a region famed for its prolific silver-lead-zinc deposits. This strategic move comes amid a surge in prices for gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and copper, alongside fresh corporate interest and new exploration concepts developed in-house.
The Broken Hill project covers an expansive 1,770 square kilometres surrounding one of the world’s most significant massive sulphide deposits. Impact’s portfolio is now one of the largest in the region, particularly south of Broken Hill, positioning the company to capitalize on multiple mineralisation styles.
Innovative Exploration Techniques Yield Promising Results
Central to Impact’s renewed efforts is a proprietary multi-metal ratio developed during its participation in the inaugural BHP Xplor program. This ratio, measurable in real-time using a handheld XRF instrument, correlates strongly with platinum group metal (PGM) grades, allowing drill teams to vector towards high-grade zones without waiting for lab assays.
At the Platinum Springs prospect, this approach has uncovered exceptional drill intercepts, including a standout diamond drill hole returning 0.6 metres at 7.6% copper, 7.4% nickel, and notably high grades of palladium, platinum, rhodium, osmium, iridium, and ruthenium. Such comprehensive PGM presence is rare globally and underscores the unique mineralisation potential of the area.
Kambalda-Style Channels Signal New Discovery Potential
Impact’s drilling has revealed that high-grade nickel-copper-PGM mineralisation occurs in ribbon-like channel structures at the base of the host ultramafic intrusion, reminiscent of the world-class Kambalda nickel deposits in Western Australia. Three new channels have been identified along the Moorkai Trend, a nine-kilometre-long intrusion with numerous high-grade rock chip samples yet to be fully drilled.
These channels exhibit strong lateral zonation, with high-grade mineralisation concentrated in structural traps or embayments. This sulphide fractionation pattern provides a valuable vector for targeting richer zones within the channels, enhancing the prospectivity of the entire trend.
Strategic Next Steps and Regional Context
Looking ahead, Impact plans detailed ground electromagnetic (EM) surveys to refine drill targets, followed by targeted drilling campaigns in early 2026. The company is also monitoring renewed exploration activity in the region, including acquisitions and joint ventures by Broken Hill Mines Limited and South32 Limited, which signal a broader resurgence of interest in Broken Hill’s mineral wealth.
Managing Director Dr. Mike Jones highlighted the dual focus on advancing the High Purity Alumina business while addressing the “unfinished business” at Broken Hill. The combination of rising commodity prices, proprietary exploration technology, and a large landholding offers Impact a compelling platform to unlock value in this historic mining district.
Bottom Line?
Impact Minerals’ innovative approach and strategic timing could redefine exploration success in the storied Broken Hill region.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming ground EM surveys refine the targeting of high-grade mineralisation zones?
- Can Impact’s proprietary multi-metal ratio consistently deliver breakthroughs across other prospects?
- What impact will renewed regional exploration activity have on the competitive landscape and project valuation?
