Pilbara’s Iron Ore Dominance Hides Other Hidden Mineral Treasures

The Pilbara region of Western Australia is predominantly recognized for its rich iron ore deposits. However, this mineral province also conceals significant resources of gold, lithium, and copper that remain largely uncharted.

Pilbara’s Hidden Mineral Treasures

In the wake of noteworthy discoveries, like De Grey Mining’s 11.2 million ounces (Moz) Hemi gold deposit, exploration is picking up pace in the Pilbara. The Hemi discovery has reshaped market expectations and heightened interest in exploring the untapped potential of the area. Other notable lithium initiatives include the major Pilgangoora lithium mine operated by Pilbara Minerals, along with projects by Mineral Resources and Albemarle.

Underexplored Regions

Various parts of the Pilbara continue to exhibit under-explored mineral wealth. The Mosquito Creek Basin, for instance, has shown promise with surface gold indications but remains relatively untouched. Exploration efforts here are being driven by firms like Moho Resources, which are keen on unlocking the true potential of the area.

• Key Projects:
  • Hemi Deposit: 11.2 Moz gold, owned by Northern Star Resources.
  • Pilgangoora Operation: Major lithium site managed by Pilbara Minerals.
  • Bush Chook Project: Acquired by Moho Resources in the Mosquito Creek Basin.
• Noteworthy Companies:
  • De Grey Mining
  • Pilbara Minerals
  • GreenTech Metals
  • Moho Resources

Potential for New Discoveries

Industry experts suggest that the Pilbara’s exploration landscape is on the cusp of transformative discoveries. Graeme Hardwick, of Moho Resources, noted that recent finds have come from depths of less than 40 meters, indicating substantial deposit potential within accessible areas. This trend highlights the viability of underexplored terrains in the region.

Similarly, Jozsef Patarica from GreenTech Metals underscored the growing eagerness among explorers to venture into the Pilbara. While the historical focus was more on areas like the Goldfields, the current geological prospects make the Pilbara compelling for new explorations.

Future Exploration Plans

Moho Resources is set to conduct a drilling program in December 2025 to assess several drilling targets in the Mosquito Creek Basin. They aim to build a pipeline of drill sites through systematic soil sampling and geological mapping.

GreenTech Metals, focusing on its Whundo copper-gold and Munni Munni projects, plans to evaluate the potential for production opportunities in 2026. Their ongoing activities signal significant development in this mineral-rich area.

Exploratory Efforts in the Pilbara

Several companies are currently exploring projects in the Pilbara:

As exploration continues and technologies advance, the Pilbara’s reputation as a mineral powerhouse may well expand beyond iron ore to include its rich deposits of gold, lithium, and copper.