Middle Island Resources Ltd. has expanded its footprint in the Balkans, after assay results from the Bobija project in Serbia highlighted a major mineralised system.
Follow-up soil sampling at the Tisovik polymetallic discovery has defined a six kilometres strike extent, uncovering multiple high-priority target zones including Tisovik, Red Rock, and Kozila.
The results confirm a robust silver-lead-zinc-antimony system, with soil samples returning outstanding grades of up to 7.1 grams per tonne (g/t) silver and significant lead and zinc concentrations.
The silver-lead-zinc-antimony mineral assemblage is consistent with a carbonate replacement deposit (CRD) – a globally significant deposit style for hosting large, highgrade ore bodies. These systems occur when hydrothermal fluids replace carbonate rocks, like limestone, with metal-rich sulphides.
Of particular interest is the presence of visible stibnite mineralisation at the Red Rock target. Rock chip and grab samples have returned high-grade assays of up to 12g/t silver and 2.85 per cent antimony.
Antimony has recently surged in importance globally due to its use in high-tech manufacturing and military applications.
Middle Island CEO Peter Spiers said the presence of high-grade antimony is especially exciting given the tightening global supply.
“These latest exploration results continue to demonstrate the emerging scale of the Bobija Project and reinforce our belief that Tisovik represents a significant polymetallic CRD-style mineral system,” Spiers said.
“The presence of stibnite mineralisation and high-grade antimony is especially exciting given the increasing strategic importance of antimony globally.”
The project’s potential is further reinforced by its location just 20 kilometres from the operating Veliki Majdan silver-lead-zinc mine, suggesting the region is capable of supporting significant commercial operations.
Middle Island is highly encouraged by the results from the under-explored Tisovik target area.
The next phase of exploration will focus on extending soil sampling northward into an approximate eight square kilometres area within the Bobija exploration licence.
The company intends to use gravity surveys to locate dense sulphide bodies beneath the surface, followed by trenching and drill testing.
These soil sampling programs are being progressed in parallel with ongoing staged drilling programs in the Bobija Mine area.
Assay results are currently pending from the recently completed Phase 2 RC drilling program at Bobija.
