Queen Charlotte’s Historic Mines Pose Questions on Depth and Economic Viability
Siren Gold Limited has reported exceptional first assay results from its Queen Charlotte Antimony-Gold Project in New Zealand, revealing multiple high-grade gold and antimony intersections. These findings set the stage for a maiden drilling program in 2026, highlighting the project's strategic importance in critical minerals.
- Multiple high-grade gold and antimony assays from surface sampling
- Endeavour Shear Zone extends at least 12km with historic mining activity
- Significant mineralisation confirmed at Maria Reef, Skyline Reef, and Endeavour East
- Maiden drilling program planned for 2026 to explore resource potential
- Project aligns with critical mineral supply chain and energy transition goals
Exploration Breakthrough at Queen Charlotte
Siren Gold Limited (ASX – SNG) has delivered a promising update from its Queen Charlotte Antimony-Gold Project, situated in New Zealand's Marlborough District. The company announced multiple high-grade assay results from recent surface outcrop channel and rock chip sampling, confirming the presence of significant gold and antimony mineralisation across key reef structures.
The Endeavour Shear Zone, a prominent geological feature striking northwest-southeast for at least 12 kilometres, hosts the Maria Reef and Skyline Reef, both showing encouraging assay grades. Historic mining activity along this shear zone, particularly at the Endeavour Inlet Mine, underscores the area's long-recognised mineral potential. Siren Gold's recent fieldwork has not only confirmed these historic workings but also uncovered additional outcrops and mineralised zones.
High-Grade Assays Highlight Strategic Minerals
Among the standout results, channel samples from the Maria Reef returned up to 6 metres at 2.9 grams per tonne gold and 1.0% antimony, while the Skyline Reef exhibited assays such as 1.2 metres at 1.5 grams per tonne gold and 18.5% antimony. Rock chip samples further reinforced these findings, with antimony grades reaching as high as 26.2% and gold up to 4.6 grams per tonne.
These metals are increasingly critical for advanced technologies and the global energy transition, positioning the Queen Charlotte project as a potentially valuable contributor to secure supply chains. Siren Gold’s CEO, Zane Padman, emphasised the dual economic and strategic significance of the project, noting its alignment with government objectives on resource security and economic resilience.
Historic Mines and Future Potential
The Endeavour Inlet Mine, once New Zealand's largest antimony producer, was mined near surface over a vertical extent of approximately 400 metres and extends roughly 1.5 kilometres in strike. Mineralisation remains open at depth and along strike, suggesting substantial upside. Nearby historic mines at Endeavour East and Resolution Bay also show promising mineralisation, with recent sampling confirming high antimony grades and associated gold.
Previous exploration largely focused on antimony, but Siren Gold’s work highlights significant gold potential that had been overlooked. The company’s comprehensive approach includes soil geochemistry, mapping, and channel sampling, with plans to expand exploration across the 5-kilometre segment between Endeavour Inlet and Resolution Bay.
Looking Ahead – Maiden Drilling and Resource Definition
Building on these encouraging surface results, Siren Gold is preparing for a targeted maiden drilling campaign in 2026. The upcoming program aims to delineate the extent and tenor of mineralisation, test depth extensions, and support future resource estimation. The company is also working on securing access agreements with the Department of Conservation to facilitate drilling activities within the permit area.
With assay results pending from recent fieldwork and ongoing geochemical surveys, the Queen Charlotte project is poised for a critical phase of advancement. The combination of historic mining legacy, high-grade assay results, and strategic mineral relevance positions Siren Gold as a company to watch in the evolving critical minerals landscape.
Bottom Line?
Siren Gold’s Queen Charlotte results mark a pivotal step towards unlocking a critical minerals resource with significant strategic and economic potential.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the maiden drilling program refine the understanding of mineralisation depth and continuity?
- What are the potential economic implications of combining gold and antimony extraction at Queen Charlotte?
- How might evolving government policies on critical minerals impact project development timelines?
