- 01Baucau: Govt-approved +50km2 east; 2.5x1km magnetic Cu-Au target.
- 02Plans: field checks, geochem, geophysics.
- 03Turiscai: +50km2 north; eight licences ~394km2.
Tivan (ASX: TVN) has been granted Timor-Leste government approval to enlarge its Baucau project exploration tenure by approximately 50 square kilometres immediately east of the existing concession.
The new ground captures a large-scale regional magnetic anomaly extending approximately 2.5km by 1km that Tivan considers a high-priority target for copper-gold exploration.
The anomaly, which displays geometry and magnetic response comparable with prospective targets inside the existing Baucau concession, lies along the continuation of the same mapped geological and structural trend.
Tivan plans to prioritise field verification, surface geochemical sampling and high-resolution geophysical work across the addition as it assesses porphyry and volcanogenic massive sulphide-style mineralisation.
The expansion follows Tivan being awarded another 50km² concession a day earlier immediately north of the Turiscai project, which after formal grant would lift that project to eight exploration and evaluation licences covering approximately 394km².
Magnetic Target to Drive Expansion
The Baucau project currently comprises three granted exploration and evaluation licences, with the newly approved area incorporated into MEL2023-CA-ZB004 under Article 18 of Timor-Leste’s Mining Code.
Tivan sought the enlargement after its geological and geophysical interpretation indicated that the prospective geological and structural corridor continued beyond the former eastern boundary, supporting its application with detailed mapping and geophysical data.
First identified from historical regional magnetic survey data collected in 2017 and 2018, the target forms a coherent feature that Tivan believes warrants systematic exploration before its priority for future drilling is determined.
“Beyond the large-scale magnetic anomaly shown, the decision by Timor-Leste’s government to grant the concession extension […] illustrates the trust and respect that we have earned over the past eighteen months,” executive chair Grant Wilson said.
“Today is also a reminder of the significant responsibility we have in Timor-Leste to help build the nation—this is, at the same time, an unbounded opportunity to build our company.”
Growing Regional Footprint
Tivan’s Turiscai expansion was awarded through Timor-Leste’s Second Minerals Tender 2025 following a competitive process, with the company having formally accepted the award after making the concession its sole bid in the tender.
The new Turiscai area lies within the upper Laclo catchment immediately north of existing tenure, where Tivan considers the underlying Lolotoi Formation and a smaller area of Maubisse Formation favourable for copper-gold mineralisation.
Exploration adjacent to the new concession has already returned favourable stream sediment and rock chip results, while Tivan is conducting a large-scale magnetic drone survey across the broader Turiscai project to help define targets for maiden drilling planned in the final quarter of 2026.
At Baucau, Tivan has separately secured an option to acquire 100% of an additional exploration and evaluation licence immediately west of the project and has executed terms for a joint venture over Baucau with Timor-Leste’s state-owned mining company.
Field Program Priorities
Initial work on the enlarged Baucau concession will combine further geological assessment with field verification and targeted surface geochemical sampling across the prospective corridor containing the magnetic anomaly.
Tivan also intends to extend high-resolution geophysical coverage across the new ground, with the resulting datasets to be integrated with existing mapping, surface geochemistry and regional geophysical information to refine follow-up targets.
Subject to those results, the regional anomaly could be advanced into a priority drill target, while the newly awarded Turiscai concession will enter reconnaissance, mapping and systematic surface geochemical sampling once its formal grant is completed.
Tivan has promoted senior geologist George Manton to principal geologist for Timor-Leste to provide dedicated senior oversight across Baucau, Turiscai, and Ossu.
The company’s local workforce has reached 11, with recruitment continuing for three additional geologists and a Baucau community relations officer.
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