Red Mountain Mining has begun metallurgical testing at its Oaky Creek antimony prospect, part of the company's Armidale Antimony-Gold Project in north-east New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

This move seeks to assess the ore's processing characteristics and concentrate potential, a vital step towards achieving commercial validation.

Earlier exploration revealed soil anomalies and rock samples with up to 39.3% antimony and 1.09 parts per million gold.

These findings indicate a substantial orogenic antimony-gold vein system extending roughly 3km at the surface, similar to Australia’s largest known antimony deposit at Larvotto Resources' Hillgrove project.

The testing involves detailed mineralogical characterisation and a study focusing on crush, grind and flotation processes for a bulk sample weighing approximately 20kg.

The strategy of initiating metallurgical tests alongside ongoing exploration is intended to demonstrate the viability of processing the Oaky Creek mineralisation before future drilling operations.

Red Mountain hopes to reduce asset risk and enhance the project's value through this accelerated approach.

The comprehensive sampling programme at Oaky Creek is complete, with assay results anticipated by the end of the first quarter of 2026.

These results are expected to outline multiple targets for further drill testing in the first half of 2026.

Red Mountain is also awaiting assay results from its Thompson Falls Antimony Project in Montana, US, which are due by the end of March.

In related developments, the US Government recently announced a $12bn strategic minerals stockpile initiative aimed at securing critical mineral supply chains.

Red Mountain's Thompson Falls Antimony Project is strategically positioned near US Antimony Corporation’s operations, aligning with US priorities for antimony and silver as critical minerals.

Earlier this month, the company announced the acquisition of the Thompson Falls Antimony Project.