Expansion Raises Stakes for Diablo’s Star Range Silver-Antimony Exploration
Diablo Resources has significantly increased its Star Range Project landholding in Utah, adding 82 new claims to bolster exploration of high-grade silver and antimony mineralisation. The expansion sets the stage for a focused exploration campaign integrating historical data with modern surveys.
- 82 new claims secured, expanding total to 186 claims (~3,582 acres)
- New tenure covers extensions of high-priority structural and geological trends
- Historical sampling shows bonanza silver grades and notable antimony presence
- No prior drilling over key soil anomalies, presenting fresh exploration opportunities
- Ongoing integration of geochemical sampling, mapping, and aeromagnetic surveys
Strategic Land Expansion
Diablo Resources Limited has announced a substantial expansion of its Star Range Silver-Antimony Project in southwestern Utah, securing 82 additional lode claims. This move increases the project’s footprint to 186 claims, covering approximately 3,582 acres. The newly acquired ground consolidates the project into a contiguous land package, capturing extensions of promising structural and geological trends identified during ongoing fieldwork.
CEO Lyle Thorne highlighted that this expansion reflects the company’s confidence in both the project’s potential and the broader US critical minerals policy environment. The additional acreage is strategically positioned to enhance exploration efforts by incorporating historical mining sites and newly identified high-priority targets.
Historical Context and Geological Potential
The Star Range Project sits within a historically rich mining district known for producing lead, zinc, copper, gold, and silver until the mid-20th century. Nearby, the Horn Silver Mine was a prolific silver producer, yielding 17 million ounces of silver and significant quantities of gold and copper. Diablo’s project area includes numerous old workings dating back to the late 1800s, indicating a long history of mineralisation.
Geologically, the project lies within a structurally complex mountain range featuring block-faulted sediments and granitic intrusions. Mineralisation occurs as structurally controlled manto-replacement and breccia vein systems, which are prime targets for critical minerals like silver and antimony.
Encouraging Historical Sampling and New Exploration
Historical rock sampling in the area has returned exceptionally high silver grades, with some samples reaching bonanza levels of up to 8,760 grams per tonne. Antimony, a critical mineral with growing industrial demand, was not a primary focus in past exploration but has shown promising surface concentrations exceeding 1% in some samples.
Importantly, large-scale silver anomalies identified in soil sampling at the North Star and South Star prospects have yet to be tested by drilling, presenting significant upside potential. Diablo is now integrating these historical data with new geochemical sampling, mapping, and airborne magnetic surveys to refine exploration targets ahead of its maiden drilling program.
Looking Ahead
With assay results from recent samples pending, Diablo is advancing a systematic exploration approach aimed at unlocking the project’s critical minerals potential. This work complements ongoing drilling at its Phoenix Copper Project, including activities at the high-priority Fair Dinkum Prospect, underscoring a busy period for the company.
As the company continues to interpret new data and refine geological models, the expanded Star Range Project stands as a compelling opportunity within the US critical minerals landscape, supported by strong infrastructure and proximity to historic mining hubs.
Bottom Line?
Diablo’s expanded Star Range Project could soon reveal critical mineral resources that align with growing US supply chain priorities.
Questions in the middle?
- When will assay results from the newly collected samples be released, and what might they reveal about antimony grades?
- How will the maiden drilling program be prioritized across the newly expanded claims?
- What are the implications of this expansion for Diablo’s overall critical minerals strategy in the US?
