Why Did American West Metals Update the JORC Mineral Resource Estimate for West Desert?

American West Metals Limited (ASX: AW1 | OTCQB: AWMLF) has made a significant announcement regarding its West Desert Project in Utah, USA, unveiling an impressive indium resource. The updated independent JORC 2012 Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for West Desert has added 33. 7 million tonnes (Mt) of indium and 119,000 ounces (Koz) of gold to the existing metal inventory. This development not only positions West Desert as a world-class indium deposit but also highlights its strategic importance in the critical and strategic metals supply chain.

The West Desert Indium Resource

The newly updated JORC MRE at West Desert comprises 33. 7 Mt of ore with an average grade of 20 grams per tonne (g/t) indium (In) and 0. 1 g/t gold (Au).

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This updated resource includes two significant components:

Open-Pit Resource: The open-pit resource contains 18. 7 Mt of ore with a grade of 13 g/t indium and 0. 09 g/t silver (Ag).

Higher-Grade Underground Resource: The higher-grade underground resource includes 15 Mt of ore with an impressive grade of 28. 7 g/t indium and 0. 12 g/t gold.

Additionally, this update adds 23. 8 million ounces (Moz) of indium and 119 Koz of gold to the existing metal inventory at West Desert, which already includes 1. 3 Mt of zinc, 49 Kt of copper, and 10 Moz of silver.

West Desert's Unique Positioning

What sets West Desert apart is its status as the only indium deposit in the United States, making it one of the largest and highest-grade undeveloped indium deposits worldwide. Indium is classified as a critical mineral in the United States, and currently, the country imports 100% of its indium. With West Desert's resource potential, it could play a pivotal role in securing the nation's supply of this essential metal.

Moreover, West Desert exhibits considerable potential for further expansion of its metal resources. This includes the newly identified high-grade 'Copper Zone' and high-grade indium-zinc-copper mineralization, which have not been included in the current MRE but hold substantial promise. These zones remain open along strike and at depth, offering opportunities for future growth.

Favorable Development Conditions

West Desert is favorably positioned for development, with several key advantages:

Private Land Ownership: American West Metals owns 100% of the private land where West Desert is located, facilitating expedited permitting processes.

Strategic Location: The project is situated in a world-class mining district of Utah, adjacent to Kennecott's renowned Bingham Canyon Copper Mine. This location offers significant infrastructure and operational advantages.

Mining Methods: West Desert is amenable to bulk open-cut and underground (long-hole open stope) mining methods, providing flexibility in resource extraction.

Dave O'Neill's Comments

Dave O'Neill, Managing Director of American West Metals, expressed enthusiasm about the updated MRE, highlighting the significance of the indium resource and its strategic importance. He noted, "West Desert is well located for future development and has received strong support from the local and federal government. The large resources and exciting growth opportunities at West Desert demonstrate the outstanding value of the project. "

American West Metals' announcement regarding the West Desert Project underscores its emergence as a significant player in the critical and strategic metals sector. The addition of a world-class indium resource to the existing metal inventory solidifies West Desert's importance in the U. S. supply chain for critical minerals. With the project's favorable development conditions and promising exploration potential, American West Metals is poised for a bright future in the resources industry.

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