Podium Minerals has been given the green light to start drilling next week at the central section of its Parks Reef platinum group metals, or "PGM” project in the Mid West region of Western Australia.
The company applied for government and Aboriginal cultural heritage clearances to drill at the prospect as it is part of a heritage-listed site.
Podium has now been given the all-clear, with registered heritage site access granted in April through a Section 18 application and the program of work granted last month by WA Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.
Approved drilling will consist of up to 12 drill holes over an 800m strike.
Drill pad preparation has started, with exploration targeting resource growth to greater than 200m below the surface as part of its stage 9 and 10 exploration programs.
Podium Minerals Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sam Rodda said: "Podium is grateful for the strong relationship with and support of the Native Title holders, the Yamatji People of the Murchison region, who have enabled our approvals for access to the heritage area to progress expeditiously. Podium continues to work closely with the Traditional Owners to ensure the protection of any significant location or artefact that the project may encounter.”
In April, Podium received results supporting the company’s hopes to upgrade its deposit from a three-element, or 3E, to a five-element, or 5E, definition.
3E refers to the platinum group elements of platinum, palladium and gold, whilst 5E adds iridium and rhodium.
The approvals will enable Podium to expand and test the resource at depth and an opportunity to add more 5E PGM ounces to the project.
Drill holes to the east and west of the of the central section show average grades higher than the project’s mineral resource estimate, or "MRE”.
An inferred MRE is currently 2.8 million ounces of 3E PGM.
The company will consult cultural heritage monitors and Traditional Owners to minimise ground disturbance to the area in line with agreed approvals.
Podium is still awaiting laboratory assay results from 11 holes from its stage 9 drilling campaign in March, whilst its stage 10 RC drilling program of 48 holes at 9400m continues.
A total of 44 holes have been drilled so far and sent to Perth for assays, with results expected later this month.
Rodda has previously said it is a perfect time to be associated with PGMs, given their importance to Australia’s critical minerals strategy.
The company is aiming to build its critical minerals PGM resource that seeks to support the reduction of automobile emissions and the green hydrogen transition.
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By Matt Birney
