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- Pioneer has restored ground-vehicle access to Springfield in Idaho.
- Re-establishing access means no more helicopters are needed, and now allows CY26 progression of field programs.
- Bulk sampling, geophysical surveys, mapping planned.
Pioneer Minerals (ASX:PMM) will no longer have to rely on helicopter-supported mobilisation and can use trucks and vehicles to get to the Springfield tungsten, gold, and gallium prospect at North Pine in Idaho again, after successfully reopening the historic Springfield Mine Road this week.
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“The ability to access Springfield by ground-based vehicles fundamentally changes the economics and logistics,” Pioneer CEO Michael Beven declared.
The big one is that Pioneer will no longer have to fork out quite as much to get onto the Idaho site, improving operational efficiency and flexibility. Within the next two weeks, snow around the area will have melted enough that the explorer will have “unrestricted access” for conventional wheeled vehicles.
“[We] encountered substantial challenges, including extensive fallen timber, historic wildfire damage, and a significant snow drift on the southern approach,” Mr Beven said.
“Prior to reopening the road, exploration activities would have required costly helicopter-supported mobilisation. We can now safely and efficiently move personnel, equipment and bulk sample material directly to the site.”
With access now restored, Pioneer will be heading straight into the next phase of its planned field activities, with plenty on the CY26 docket.
First up, the company will be running geological mapping, field investigations, rock chip sampling, ground truthing of geophysical targets, and bulk sample collection from historic stockpiles for metallurgical test work.
Beyond that, Pioneer will also be conducting electromagnetic (EM) geophysical surveys, with the aim there to identify conductive zones potentially associated with massive sulphide mineralisation linked to tungsten.
The completed works also support preparations for planned maiden drilling, targeting tungsten, gold, and gallium. This drilling remains subject to the approval of a submitted Plan of Operations and will target extensions of the existing ore body, newly defined drill targets, and historic stockpiles.
Heading into Wednesday, PMM shares are 15c a pop.
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Disclaimer: This content has been prepared as part of a partnership with Pioneer Minerals Ltd and is intended for informational purposes only.
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