Sky Metals Ltd. has reported a significant mineral resource upgrade at its Tallebung tin-silver-tungsten project in New South Wales, cementing its status as a major emerging open-pit mining opportunity.
The updated mineral resource estimate (MRE) exceeded the upper limits of the company’s previous exploration target. Tallebung’s expanded inventory now stands at 32.7 million tonnes at 0.16 per cent tin equivalent using a net smelter return cut-off of US$20 per tonne.
This updated figure yields an impressive 36.8 thousand tonnes of contained tin, 1.14 million metric tonne units of contained tungsten trioxide, and a debut maiden silver resource of 9.94 million ounces.
This marks a 58 per cent surge in total contained tin and a massive 163 per cent increase in contained tungsten compared to the previous 2023 estimate.
Sky Metals CEO Oliver Davies noted that the upgrade positions Tallebung as one of Australia’s most vital critical mineral development assets.
“The updated MRE has exceeded the upper end of our previous exploration target, establishing Tallebung as one of Australia’s most significant emerging tin-tungsten-silver development projects,” Davies said.
“The contained tungsten inventory has more than doubled, while the maiden silver resource introduces a valuable additional revenue stream that we expect will make a meaningful contribution to project economics in the upcoming pre-feasibility study.”
Because the large-scale resource sits shallow and near the surface, it supports a low-strip-ratio, low-capital open-pit development model. Metallurgical testing using advanced TOMRA ore-sorting tech alongside conventional gravity processing has yielded exceptional results, achieving over 10-times grade upgrades during bulk sample testwork.
The deposit remains completely open in all directions. Recent drilling results from outside the updated MRE boundary have already identified a brand-new zone of shallow mineralisation along the north-eastern margin, ensuring strong potential for continued resource expansion.
The landmark update arrives at a turning point for the company. Alongside the highly anticipated PFS targeted for completion later this month, Sky Metals is rapidly progressing through the NSW State Significant Development approval pathway, with an environmental impact statement already underway.
