Kalkine: ASX 200 Miners Eye Growth as Sunshine Moves Ahead with Liontown Focus

Highlights

• Sunshine Metals (ASX:SHN) initiates resource and metallurgical updates at Liontown within the Ravenswood Consolidated Project

• Metallurgical testwork underway to support the transition of Liontown's resource classification

• Drilling concluded at Salla and Plateau, with assay results anticipated in the coming weeks

Sunshine Metals (ASX:SHN), a participant in the mining sector, is advancing activities at its Liontown prospect located within the Ravenswood Consolidated Project in North Queensland. The company is preparing to initiate metallurgical studies, a resource update, and mining evaluations to refine the classification of its current asset. These developments are part of its broader Queensland-focused exploration efforts, which align with recent performance dynamics observed across the ASX 200.

Liontown has been identified as a key area for Sunshine’s next phase of exploration and study. The site has previously returned encouraging drill results, prompting a push to enhance its geological understanding and align it with future development frameworks.

Metallurgical Testing Begins to Support Resource Upgrade

To upgrade the existing classification of Liontown’s resource from inferred to indicated, Sunshine Metals is carrying out metallurgical testing using samples obtained through its recently completed reverse circulation drilling program. This phase of work is intended to generate necessary data for evaluating the ore characteristics and recovery processes.

The company has indicated that the mining study will commence shortly after the metallurgical and resource updates have been finalised. Sunshine is streamlining timelines to accelerate the decision-making process around the future trajectory of Liontown’s development.

Drilling Results Highlight Near-Surface Mineralisation

Initial assay results from the drilling program have confirmed additional shallow gold mineralisation at Liontown. Among the notable drill intersections are shallow intercepts with strong gold values, which further highlight the mineral continuity at surface levels.

These assay results were obtained from specific intervals near the top of the drilling holes, adding further confidence to the company’s strategy of targeting near-surface oxide zones. The goal is to explore these zones in a way that supports commercial evaluation efforts.

Exploration Extends to Plateau and Salla Targets

In addition to the work at Liontown, Sunshine Metals has completed drilling at the Plateau and Salla prospects, both part of the broader Ravenswood Consolidated Project. At Salla, the drilling program involved testing geophysical anomalies identified through induced polarisation and gravity surveys. The Plateau prospect is undergoing metallurgical testing to support future classification upgrades of the inferred resource already defined there.

The Plateau area, like Liontown, has shown indications of near-surface gold mineralisation. The company aims to use the assay results expected in the near term to shape the next round of exploration decisions and assessments.

Focus on Shallow Oxide Resources Across Portfolio

Sunshine’s broader strategy includes identifying and delineating shallow oxide gold zones, with a focus on efficient evaluation and feasibility testing. The company’s assets in Queensland offer a range of geological settings, and the Ravenswood Consolidated Project is central to this exploration direction.

By aligning metallurgical work with geological updates and commencing early-stage mining evaluations, Sunshine Metals (ASX:SHN) is moving ahead with plans to further develop Liontown and assess the broader resource base within its tenements. These efforts come as the mining segment continues to attract attention within the evolving landscape of the ASX 200.