Pantera Minerals Limited (ASX: PFE) has officially entered the next phase of development at its Gillham Antimony-Silver Project in Arkansas, USA. The company has finalized a contract with Dycus 3D Drilling Company to carry out its inaugural diamond drilling program at the site. This 10-hole campaign, totaling approximately 1,500 meters, represents the first modern attempt to test high-grade mineralized zones located beneath three historic operations: the Davis, Stewart, and May mines.

The upcoming exploration work follows a series of positive 2026 surface sampling results that confirmed significant potential within the area. Notable findings included rock chips yielding up to 19.2% antimony and 63.8g/t silver, alongside soil geochemistry that successfully mapped two distinct antimony anomalies over a 500-meter strike length. These geochemical indicators sit within a much wider 2,000-meter corridor, which the company views as a key indicator of district-scale potential. Management plans to integrate the data gathered from this maiden drill program into an updated geological model to refine future exploration and step-out drilling across the wider project pipeline.

Executive leadership described the development as a major step forward for the firm’s operational trajectory.

"Executing this drilling contract marks the beginning of one of the most important milestones in Pantera's history."

"Antimony is a designated critical mineral in the United States and with the rig turning in the third week of August, shareholders can look forward to a steady flow of news through the remainder of the year." — Barnaby Egerton-Warburton, Executive Chairman and CEO

Operations are now firmly scheduled to move into the field. Mobilization of the drilling rig is set for the third week of August 2026. The technical team anticipates the 1,500-meter program will require four to six weeks to reach completion. Once the drilling is underway, the company intends to manage a phased news flow regarding the technical findings. In line with its disclosure policy, the company will report assay results to the market as they are received from the laboratory, validated, and interpreted by the project’s technical team. This approach aims to provide a continuous stream of information as the company evaluates the depth and continuity of mineralized structures identified during the initial surface sampling phases. Beyond the immediate campaign, the company continues to maintain a focus on evaluating further potential project opportunities across the United States to build upon its current portfolio.

Read the full announcement: First Ever Drilling To Test Silver Project At Gillham