Resolution Minerals Ltd (ASX:RML) has officially launched its Phase 1 drilling campaign at the Horse Heaven Gold-Antimony-Tungsten Project in Idaho, a strategically significant site positioned next to Perpetua Resources’ (NASDAQ:PPTA) Stibnite Gold Mine, which carries a market capitalisation of around $3 billion.
The exploration program, now in motion, will initially test 3,000 metres of diamond core drilling and could expand to as much as 6,000 metres across 20 separate holes.
Key targets include the Golden Gate prospect as well as a number of zones surrounding historic antimony and tungsten mines.
This work is aimed not only at confirming the strong historical gold results but also at assaying for critical minerals that were not systematically tested in past exploration.
Among the standout historic results at Horse Heaven are wide intervals of gold mineralisation, including 85.34 metres grading 0.937 grams per tonne gold, which incorporates 38.10 metres at 1.459 grams per tonne.
Additional assays included 105.16 metres at 0.787 grams per tonne gold, with 51.82 metres grading 0.990 grams per tonne, and a further intercept of 30.48 metres at 1.354 grams per tonne.
These intercepts signal the potential scale and quality of mineralisation that Resolution aims to extend with this new program.
The project has gained heightened importance in recent years due to the US reliance on foreign imports for antimony, a metal considered critical for both defence and industrial applications.
Currently, the United States has no domestic production and is fully dependent on overseas supply.
If successful, Horse Heaven could emerge as a key American source of military-grade antimony while also delivering significant by-products in gold and tungsten.
In parallel with drilling, environmental baseline studies have begun with the objective of supporting the next phase of permitting.
These studies will underpin both expanded drilling programs and longer-term development approvals, reinforcing the project’s alignment with the US critical mineral strategy.
Resolution has also moved to strengthen government relations, appointing Thorn Run Partners and Clewett Global Services to provide strategic advisory services.
This engagement is designed to assist in advancing dialogue with regulators and in accessing potential federal incentives that encourage domestic critical minerals production.
Commenting on the start of drilling, Craig Lindsay, Resolution’s CEO of US Operations, said: “Drilling is now underway.
“This is an important milestone for Resolution, and we are pleased with progress.
“This would not be possible without the welcome support of the local town of Yellow Pine and the US Forest Service as we move forward with developing the next source of critical metals to meet the United States’ growing domestic demand.”
Resolution expects to complete Phase 1 drilling by October 2025, with results guiding the scope of a potential Phase 2 program.
The company has also indicated that an OTCQB listing is anticipated in the near term, providing enhanced access for U.S. investors as operational momentum builds.