EV Resources (ASX:EVR) announced a technical breakthrough at its flagship Los Lirios Antimony Project, producing its first metallic antimony ingots.
The achievement marks a critical "proof of concept" for the project, validating that mineralisation sourced from both the Lirios 1 and Lirios 2 pits can be converted into a high-value end product through simplified, low-cost smelting processes.
By proving a direct mine-to-metal pathway, the company has significantly de-risked the project, moving it closer to its goal of becoming a primary supplier for the North American market.
The timing of the milestone is particularly strategic, as the US faces a substantial antimony deficit.
Antimony is a critical mineral essential for high-tech manufacturing, lead-acid batteries, and vital defense applications.
To ensure the product meets these stringent requirements, EV Resources is currently conducting comprehensive metallurgical purity analyses.
Phase 1 diamond drilling is currently underway at the Lirios 1 zone to explore depth extensions of known mineralised structures.
Simultaneously, the company is refining its analytical accuracy using specialised XRF methodology for rock chip sampling.
CEO Mike Brown emphasised that this is not merely a laboratory success but a "tangible proof" of a fast-track production route.
At the time of reporting, EV Resources' share price was $0.0080.