- 01PoO filed with USFS for Quinn maiden drilling
- 02139 pads, ~10,000 m planned
- 03Baseline surveys done; bulk sampling planned
OD6 Metals (ASX: OD6) has submitted a Plan of Operations (PoO) to the US Forest Service (USFS) seeking approval for maiden drilling and bulk sampling at its 100%-owned Quinn fluorspar project in Nevada.
The PoO allows for up to 139 drill pads across priority target areas, with multiple holes possible from individual pads and approximately 10,000 metres of priority drilling planned.
The program is designed to test the largely undrilled Horseshoe–Mammoth mineralised trend along strike and at depth while building the geological, grade and continuity data needed to support a future mineral resource estimate.
OD6 has completed planned biological and cultural baseline field surveys and is targeting a potentially streamlined Categorical Exclusion pathway through the federal environmental review process.
Drilling and Sampling Scope
Initial drilling will focus on the Horseshoe, Mammoth, and Big Jim areas alongside other high-priority targets generated through geological mapping, geochemical sampling, structural interpretation, and review of historical exploration.
Only four shallow historical drill holes have tested Horseshoe, leaving extensive high-grade fluorspar mineralisation identified at surface largely untested by drilling.
The 139-pad layout has been designed to minimise surface disturbance while allowing different depths and orientations to be tested, with flexibility for infill, step-out, and exploration drilling within the permitted footprint.
Within the principal mineralised areas, OD6 intends to progressively establish drill spacing appropriate for future MRE work as results refine the company’s understanding of the fluorspar systems.
The PoO also seeks approval to collect representative bulk material for larger-scale ore sorting, beneficiation, and metallurgical test work aimed at defining potential processing routes and product specifications.
Streamlined Review Pathway
Specialist permitting consultant WestLand Engineering & Environmental Services has completed the biological and archaeological field surveys required for environmental review, with final reports targeted for submission to the USFS in October.
OD6 elected to survey a broader area than required for the initial drilling program, creating baseline information intended to support subsequent exploration, bulk sampling, and potential mine-development permitting over a 10-year validity period.
The USFS will determine whether the proposed work qualifies for the targeted CE pathway, which could exempt the initial exploration phase from more detailed National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental assessments or impact statements.
“We have deliberately front-end loaded the permitting process, with all planned biological and cultural baseline field surveys now completed at Horseshoe through to Mammoth,” managing director Brett Hazelden said.
“Our drilling strategy is designed to progressively establish the geological, grade, and continuity information required to support a future MRE.”
Broader Development Work
Alongside permitting, OD6 is continuing ore-sorting and comprehensive metallurgical programs intended to assess waste rejection, beneficiation options, and pathways towards potential commercial development at Quinn.
Bulk sampling is expected to provide larger and more representative material for crushing, screening, physical beneficiation, grinding and flotation optimisation, mineralogical assessment, and production of product samples for potential downstream evaluation.
OD6 has also begun engagement over possible future inclusion of Quinn in the FAST-41 Transparency Program, which could provide enhanced federal coordination and public milestone tracking if the project is accepted.
No FAST-41 designation has been granted and drilling and bulk sampling remain subject to USFS approval, other required permits, and completion of the applicable operating conditions and financial assurance arrangements.
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