Anson Resources discovers more high-grade critical minerals amid Chinese export ban
Published: 20:21 18 Aug 2024 EDT
Anson Resources Ltd (ASX:ASN, OTCQB:ANSNF) has discovered extensive high-grade gallium and barium mineralisation in association with the zinc, lead, copper and silver mineralisation from historical soil and rock chip sampling programs at its Ajana Project in Western Australia.
The Ajana Project covers numerous zinc, lead, copper and silver prospects and has seen extensive work since the 1970s yet remains underexplored, including for critical metals such as gallium and barium.
Historical rock chip and regolith samples discovered across the Ajana Project area, have now returned high-grade gallium and barium, with assays of up to 390g/t gallium. These results are associated with high-grade zinc mineralisation similar to that at the Ethel Maude Prospect.
Anson intersected high-grade critical minerals during recent drilling at the project’s Ethel Maude Prospect, which has returned maximum values of up to 67g/t gallium, 44g/t indium, 40g/t germanium and 20,020g/t barium — correlating with historical soil and rock chip sampling programs.
The company says that during zinc ore processing some of these minerals can be enriched 5 to 10-fold.
A potential “significant economic addition”
Looking ahead, Anson has planned drilling programs to extend these zinc, lead, silver, gallium, indium, germanium, barium (Zn-Pb-Ag-Ga-In-Ge-Ba) mineralised zones.
The company says the critical minerals have “the potential to represent a significant economic addition” to all of Anson’s prospects in the Ajana area.
New critical minerals supply needed
China suddenly halted all exports of gallium and germanium last August, effectively weaponising the supply of these crucial elements, which are integral to various high-tech industries. The move sent shockwaves through global supply chains, particularly the US and European semiconductor industries.
Gallium's pivotal role in high-tech applications
Gallium, a soft metallic element, is primarily used in semiconductors, blue-ray technology, light emitting diodes (LEDs), mobile phones, and nuclear engineering, owing to its non-toxicity and resistance to neutron radiation and beta decay.
The Chinese export ban prompted a surge in demand for alternative sources, as China had produced 98% of the world's gallium. This is underscored by a 7% price increase year-to-date and heightened demand for gallium nitride energy-saving chips, which are essential for 5G networks, wireless charging in electric vehicles, and efficient solar energy storage systems.
Indium's strategic importance
Similarly, indium's role cannot be overstated, with its uses spanning the aerospace, defence, energy, and telecommunications sectors. The USA, a 100% net importer of indium, faces significant vulnerability in its supply chain. Indium tin oxide, used in flat screen coatings and other electrical applications, constitutes the bulk of its global consumption.
Germanium demand spikes
The demand for germanium has also seen a significant uptick, driven by its applications in fibre optics, infra-red optics, high-brightness LEDs, and semiconductors. Its uses in night vision, targeting equipment, and solar panels as efficient energy generators further underscore its strategic importance.
Given these developments, American and European semiconductor manufacturers are expected to seek long-term supply contracts with non-Chinese sources, and countries like Australia could become key suppliers in an increasingly geopoliticised resource landscape.
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