Tivan to kick off maiden drilling for lead and silver at Sandover, NT, in Q4 CY24

Critical minerals explorer Tivan Limited (ASX:TVN) has confirmed it’s set to kick off maiden drilling at Sandover before EOY.

The Sandover project sits 100km north of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory covering a mammoth 8,000sq.km.

There, Tivan has partnered up with a company called EARTH AI since 2023, a company that does what it sounds like – uses AI programs to help detect potential mineralisation targets.

With an early-stage approval to launch maiden drilling at Sandover now locked in, EARTH AI – under Tivan’s guidance – will now go and see how good its algorithms are.

(To be sure, there’s more than one company taking a crack at that kind of tech – look at now de-listed SensOre.)

Surface expressions suggesting possible mineralisation deeper underground were logged in the relatively recent past by the EARTH AI and Tivan teams.

Drillers are chasing after mineralised deposits of lead and silver at the project. While today’s ‘Deemed Mining Licence’ under NT law can be thought of as an early-stage permit, Tivan is in negotiations with the Central Land Council (CLC) to finalise a Mineral Exploration Deed.

That deed would reflect a more thorough and long-lasting approval. Further drilling and geomag data collection will be partially funded by the NT government.

“The purpose of the Deed is to recognise the rights and interests of Traditional Owners and Native Title Holders at Sandover, including in respect of cultural heritage and sacred sites, and to provide the basis for durable and respectful partnerships to be forged in central Australia,” the company wrote on Thursday.

Management were excited to get started – suggesting market-watchers should keep paying attention.

“We are looking forward to making a start and to progressing the potentially transformative opportunities we have in central Australia,” Tivan chief Grant Wilson said.

“There is much more to Sandover than meets the eye.”

TVN last traded at 4.7cps.

Join the discussion: See what HotCopper users are saying about Tivan Limited and be part of the conversations that move the markets.