Silver Price Surges 100% Fueling Norwest’s West Arunta Exploration Push

Silver Price Surge Reframes Exploration Strategy

Norwest Minerals Limited (ASX – NWM) has recalibrated its exploration priorities at the West Arunta Project in response to a remarkable rally in silver prices. Since announcing its high-grade silver discovery at the Dales Gossan prospect in December 2024, silver prices have doubled, climbing above US$60 per ounce. This surge has transformed what was initially a promising technical find into a potentially lucrative strategic asset.

Dales Gossan – A High-Grade Silver-Base Metals System

The Dales Gossan discovery stands out for its wide zones of silver, copper, lead, and zinc mineralisation intersected in all seven drill holes during the 2024 Reverse Circulation campaign. Notably, assays included 18 meters grading 42 grams per tonne silver and 43 meters at 22 grams per tonne silver, with grades increasing at depth. Geological analysis suggests the mineralisation is hosted within a vertical fault breccia along the Sandman Fault, part of a larger Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide system, indicating significant upside potential.

Leveraging New Data to Unlock District-Scale Potential

With the silver price environment enhancing economic prospects, Norwest is now focusing on expanding the footprint of this mineralised system. The company plans to integrate forthcoming high-resolution geophysical data from the Geological Survey of Western Australia's 2025 "Aileron" airborne magnetic and radiometric survey. This dataset will enable Norwest to map the full 40-kilometer strike of the Sandman Fault within its tenure and identify geological repeats of the Dales Gossan mineralisation, setting the stage for a targeted drilling program in 2026.

Management’s Forward-Looking Vision

Norwest’s CEO, Charles Schaus, emphasised the strategic importance of the discovery amid the robust silver market – "Our priority is to determine the scale of this system. The upcoming GSWA data will be instrumental in allowing us to see through the cover and target repeats of this high-grade structure along the Sandman Fault." This approach reflects a shift from discovery to resource definition and district-scale exploration, aiming to establish a significant mineralised camp in the West Arunta region.

Market Dynamics Supporting Silver Demand

The silver price rally is underpinned by sustained industrial demand, particularly from the solar photovoltaic and electronics sectors, alongside a structural global supply deficit now entering its fifth year. Additionally, silver’s role as a safe-haven investment has intensified, further bolstering prices. These market fundamentals provide a supportive backdrop for Norwest’s exploration ambitions and enhance the potential value of the Dales Gossan discovery.