Octava Minerals (ASX:OCT) has commenced its maiden exploration drilling program at the Byro Critical Minerals Project.
The 1,100-meter air-core program targets a massive 10km x 8km footprint within the Permian black shales of the Coyrie Formation.
This exploration push follows breakthrough bioleaching testwork conducted by CSIRO and BiotaTec, which demonstrated excellent recovery rates for rare earth elements, lithium, and vanadium using lab-grown microbes.
The current 18-hole grid is designed to define an initial exploration target and provide fresh material for advanced metallurgical testing.
By utilising biomining—a process employed at the world-class Talvivaara Mine in Finland—Octava aims to unlock the vast potential of the Gascoyne region’s black shales.