Emerging energy start-up Tivan has reported a “potentially...

Emerging energy start-up Tivan has reported a “potentially historic” high-grade lead strike at its Sandover Project, about 100km north of Alice Springs.

The critical minerals company lodged a note with the ASX first thing Monday announcing its exploration alliance partner Earth AI had identified a 12.2 Pb lead resource at the Sandover.

The field spans an area of 1km by 0.5km, with “prominent signs of hydrothermal activity and four additional lead-enriched samples”.

Tivan and Earth AI entered an exploration alliance agreement at the Sandover in March 2023 that provided access to artificial intelligence for minerals targeting and testing.

Field images showing the 12.2 per cent lead concentrate and hydrothermal veining.

“High grade mineralisation at the surface is a rare discovery in modern day exploration and suggests the presence of a shallow ore deposit,” Tivan’s ASX statement said.

“The lead target is situated approximately 5km to the west of the Ghan railway on Aileron Station. In the event that a mineral resource is successfully defined, the proximity to rail will afford outstanding logistical efficiencies in support of project development.”

Consistent with Earth AI’s exploration process, it will undertake systematic geological mapping and further surface sampling to accumulate detailed geological research of the newly identified hydrothermal system.

“The significance of the high-grade lead target will lead to re-prioritisation of the drill targets … including the mine management plan. Tivan is on track to commence drilling in quarter two, 2024 subject to relevant approvals and agreements.”

Lead samples contained in the Sandover find.

Tivan executive chairman Grant Wilson said the lead find opened opportunities for Central Australia.

“Less than a year into our alliance with Earth AI, we are delighted to have made this potentially historic discovery,” Mr Wilson said. “It showcases the transformative impact that we expect AI-driven exploration will have, particularly across vast areas such as Sandover.

“The prospect of building a major project near Alice was my central motivation in taking on the leadership of this company in late 2022. With this find, we may have come full circle. An exciting journey of discovery now lies ahead for shareholders and stakeholders of Tivan.”

As well as the 12.2 Pb lead return, phosphorous enrichment of 2.9 per cent was identified, consistent with the presence of lead phosphates such as pyromorphite or cerussite, which are both associated with primary lead deposits.

Tivan has hit-the-ground running in 2024, with a series of announcements around its plan to manufacture vanadium electrolyte batteries at Middle Arm in Darwin.

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In addition to last week securing a one-year extension of the ‘not to deal’ commitment at Middle Arm, the company has signed an agreement with CSIRO around developing a pilot plant in Darwin as well as progressing work on its Speewah vanadium-titanium deposit in the Kimberleys.

Formerly known as TNG, Tivan shifted the company’s focus from the Mount Peake vanadium deposit in Central Australia to Speewah last year.

Mr Wilson, who spent a number of years in Alice Springs as a child, said he was committed to economic development in Central Australia.