By Charles Pitts
Alicanto Minerals just secured the Sala Silver Project tenure, igniting new bullish momentum for silver exploration in Sweden’s Bergslagen region.
Alicanto Minerals Ltd (ASX:AQI) surged as it locked down the Sala Silver Project, just 100 kilometers from its established Greater Falun Copper-Gold Project in Sweden. This addition expands Alicanto’s high-grade mineral portfolio with compelling silver upside, sparking investor excitement and share gains.
Sala was once Europe’s largest silver producer, delivering over 200 million ounces at astonishing grades up to 7,000 grams per tonne of silver.
Mining at Sala paused at 318 meters depth, once thought to be the deposit’s end. Yet, exploration drilling in 2012 revealed that mineralization remains within reach, including a standout intercept of 0.67 meters grading 844 g/t silver and 16.3% lead at 250 meters below surface. The project’s open mineralization at depth, along strike, and through stratigraphic repetition offers massive exploration upside.
A Prime Exploration Opportunity
Peter George, Managing Director of Alicanto, called Sala an outstanding acquisition. He noted it is part of a regional strategy that would have been pursued earlier if geological data and tenure conditions had allowed. Currently, some lands had been tied up by companies focused on other jurisdictions.
George emphasized: “The Greater Falun Project already shows extensive high-grade copper-gold with silver, zinc, and lead by-products. The full potential of the Greater Falun area, now supplemented by Sala, remains largely untapped.”
“To now have Sala in our suite of projects is a significant addition to our portfolio within the Bergslagen area.”
Peter George, Managing Director of Alicanto
Following the tenure announcement, Alicanto’s shares jumped as much as 19% to A$0.13 intra-day. The stock had closed January at A$0.096 but has shown steady growth since.
Historical Drilling Highlights Substantial Silver-Zinc Targets
Approximately 300 meters southwest of Sala, historic diamond drilling at the Prince Lode uncovered multiple significant mineralized intervals. These include 15.9 meters grading 157 g/t silver with 4.2% zinc, and 37.2 meters at 50 g/t silver with 6.1% zinc.
The 2012 drilling campaign confirmed Sala’s mineralization is open at depth and along strike, with high-grade intercepts including 0.67 meters at 844 g/t silver and 16.3% lead at 250 meters depth. Structural folding of the same stratigraphic sequence as Sala has revealed fresh untested zones to the southwest, enhancing exploration targets.
Alicanto Launches Fully Funded Drilling Expansion
Alicanto has kicked off an expanded, fully funded drilling program at Greater Falun. Once all permits clear, drilling will commence at the Sala Silver Project, aiming to unlock the significant untapped mineral potential beneath historic mine workings.
