Skylark Minerals Unveils Promising Results at Narongo Prospect, Captains Flat Project

Key Highlights

• Recent field reconnaissance confirms favorable geology at Narongo Prospect for base metal mineralisation.
• Historical shafts and copper-zinc anomalies identified, with no prior drill testing.
• New drill targets focus on areas with copper, zinc, lead, silver, and gold mineralisation.
• A follow-up field trip is planned for late 2025 to advance exploration efforts.

Skylark Minerals Limited (ASX:SKM) has made significant strides in advancing the Captains Flat Project, one of its most promising assets in New South Wales, Australia. The latest update reveals exciting developments at the Narongo Prospect, located within the 50%-owned Captains Flat Project. The recent field programme has provided substantial evidence that the geology at Narongo is highly favorable for base metal mineralisation, further boosting the project's exploration potential.

The Narongo Prospect: A Gateway to Base Metal Riches?

The Captains Flat region, historically known for its base metal deposits, continues to reveal its mineral wealth, with the Narongo Prospect serving as a key focal point for future exploration. The site, which has been intermittently explored since the early 1900s, lies just 13 kilometers south of the highly productive Lake George Mine, a historic site that produced significant quantities of silver, gold, copper, and zinc. The proximity of Narongo to Lake George, coupled with its favorable geological characteristics, positions it as a prime candidate for further exploration.

Skylark Minerals’ (ASX:SKM) December 2024 field reconnaissance trip, led by the company's geological team, yielded promising results. The team revisited the Narongo Prospect to investigate historical anomalies in base metal mineralisation and to refine the understanding of the area's potential. Among the findings were multiple historical shafts reaching depths of up to 35 meters, along with notable copper and zinc soil anomalies. The discovery of these anomalies has sparked excitement, as the area has yet to undergo thorough drilling.

Historical Mining and Geology at Narongo

The geological landscape at Narongo is rich with history and mineral potential. The prospect features gossans and old workings that may be linked to faulted Foxlow Beds—comprising greywacke, slate, black shale, and schists. A gossanous zone, measuring approximately 150 by 30 meters, was identified as a prime area for exploration. This zone exhibited anomalous concentrations of copper, lead, and zinc, along with elevated levels of tellurium, bismuth, arsenic, and barium. These findings align with historical data and suggest the presence of mineralisation beneath the surface.

The Narongo Prospect is also situated near the Narongo Fault, a significant mineral conduit in the region. The fault is believed to play a key role in transporting base metals and contributing to mineralisation across the Captains Flat area. In addition to the geological features, the region's brittle deformation, caused by intense regional-scale tectonic forces, further supports the hypothesis that Narongo holds significant exploration potential.

Encouraging Sampling Results: What the Data Tells Us

To build upon the findings of the field trip, Skylark Minerals (ASX:SKM) conducted extensive sampling using portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) technology. Several samples were collected across the Narongo Prospect, with peak results including copper, lead, and zinc concentrations. Notably, copper concentrations of up to 0.13% were recorded, along with lead and zinc concentrations of 0.3% and 0.2%, respectively.

Although the anomalism across the samples was generally weak, the results still suggest the presence of base metal sulphides (such as galena, sphalerite, and arsenopyrite) and their weathered products. These minerals, when present in sufficient quantities, could lead to substantial discoveries. The weakly anomalous levels of copper, lead, and zinc across various samples reinforce the potential for significant mineralisation at Narongo, which remains largely underexplored.

Looking Ahead: Next Steps in the Exploration Journey

With the initial phase of field reconnaissance complete, Skylark Minerals (ASX:SKM) has outlined the next steps for the Captains Flat Project, specifically at the Narongo Prospect. The company plans to conduct detailed geophysical surveys, including ground-based techniques that will refine the understanding of mineralisation zones and assist in identifying precise drill targets. Additionally, further sampling will be carried out to confirm anomalous zones, ensuring that the most promising areas are prioritized for follow-up drilling.

The next field trip, scheduled for later in 2025, will involve comprehensive on-field activities, including detailed geological mapping and geochemical testing. These efforts will support Skylark Minerals’ (ASX:SKM) strategy of conducting cost-effective exploration while advancing the Narongo Prospect to the next stage of development.

Regional Context: A Rich History of Base Metal Production

The Captains Flat Project is located in a region with a well-documented history of base metal mining. The Lake George Mine, just 13 kilometers to the north, is one of the most notable historic mines in the area. First mined in the late 19th century, the Lake George Mine produced a wealth of base metals, including copper, zinc, lead, and silver, along with gold. The mine's total production before its closure in 1962 was impressive, with over 400,000 tonnes of zinc and significant quantities of lead, copper, silver, and gold.

The geological context at both Lake George and Narongo is highly similar, with mineralisation linked to volcanic rocks and regional fault systems. This shared geological framework suggests that Narongo holds significant potential for further discovery and could mirror the success seen at Lake George.

Future Exploration: A Dual-Track Strategy for Growth
 

Skylark Minerals’ (ASX:SKM) dual-track strategy for the advancement of the Captains Flat Project is designed to maximize resource identification while minimizing exploration costs. The company's technical team, led by Managing Director Michael Jardine, is focused on exploring the Narongo Prospect due to its favorable geological setting and proximity to past-producing mines.

In his statement, Jardine emphasized the importance of Narongo in the company’s broader exploration strategy. "Captains Flat is in an area known to be richly endowed with base metal mineralisation," he noted. "The historic Lake George Mine, situated just 13 km along strike, was renowned as a high-grade producer when it was operational. In line with Skylark’s dual-track advancement strategy, we will continue to allocate resources to explore the opportunity at Captains Flat, with an initial focus on the Narongo Prospect on account of its prospectivity and accessibility."

Skylark Minerals’ (ASX:SKM) commitment to this project highlights its belief in the untapped potential of the Captains Flat region and its determination to unlock the value of the Narongo Prospect.

A Bright Future for Captains Flat

The recent fieldwork and reconnaissance at the Narongo Prospect have confirmed Skylark Minerals’ (ASX:SKM) confidence in the exploration potential of the Captains Flat Project. With a history of successful base metal production and promising early-stage findings at Narongo, Skylark Minerals (ASX:SKM) is poised to continue its exploration efforts, which could ultimately lead to significant discoveries.

As Skylark Minerals (ASX:SKM) moves forward with further geophysical surveys, sampling, and drilling in 2025, investors and industry stakeholders alike will be watching closely. The Captains Flat Project, and in particular the Narongo Prospect, represents a promising opportunity for base metal exploration in New South Wales—a region already known for its rich mining heritage.

With careful planning, targeted exploration, and the application of modern geophysical and geochemical techniques, Skylark Minerals (ASX:SKM) could soon make a breakthrough that adds significant value to its portfolio and the wider Australian mining industry.