++Tivan (ASX: TVN)++ has discovered a manganese-barite gossan at the Walshy’s Wall prospect within its Sandover fluorite project in the Northern Territory.
The discovery follows the collection of 32 rock chip samples from a field reconnaissance program last month, which returned assays of up to 44.8% manganese plus elevated levels of copper (up to 0.5%), beryllium (up to 50 parts per million) and tungsten (up to 0.12%) to define the gossan over more than 1 kilometre of strike.
Hollandite — a manganese oxide mineral commonly associated with supergene and hydrothermal alteration — also occurred within the same outcrop, along with other ultra high-grade fluorite veins grading up to 98.4% calcium fluoride.
Complex Mineral Assemblage
Sampling results suggest a complex metal assemblage and supports the interpretation that Walshy’s Wall may form part of a larger system warranting further investigation through mapping, sampling, and geophysical targeting.
Gossans – which represent the weathered surface expression of underlying sulphide mineralisation, often marking the upper part of a concealed ore system – have historically been the origin of a number of major base metal deposits in Australia, including Mount Isa and Broken Hill.
The presence of elevated critical minerals mineralisation at Walshy’s Wall is an encouraging signature, suggesting a possible link to a broader hydrothermal system within the Sandover region.
Tivan assumed all non-fluorite mineral rights at the Sandover project (including new mineralisation types at Walshy’s Wall) as part of the recent ++Molyhil critical minerals project acquisition++ from ++Investigator Resources (ASX: IVR)++ and ++Thor Energy (ASX: THR)++.
Regional Polymetallic Mineralisation
Tivan executive chair Grant Wilson said the new gossan highlighted the potential for previously unrecognised polymetallic mineralisation within the region.
“It’s fair to say we are all surprised that there has been no previous geological record of this manganese-barite gossan given its extensive scale,” he said.
“The simplest explanation is likely the best—we are operating in a very remote part of the country, and the tenements in question lay dormant for decades.”
“We are excited to learn what lies beneath the full extent of the mineralised horizon at Walshy’s Wall, and expect the results will support our planning for a high-value critical minerals precinct in central Australia.”
Tivan hopes to expedite the work program approvals process with the Central Land Council and the NT government in parallel with geological planning, targeting the start of drilling in early 2026.
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