Apollo Minerals Limited has announced a significant partnership with the French Geological Survey (BRGM) to conduct a detailed airborne geophysical survey at its 100%-owned Couflens Tungsten-Gold Project in France. This collaboration is part of the broader national mineral resources inventory project, known as the Inventaire des Ressources Minérales (IRM Project), which aims to enhance the understanding of France’s mineral resources and secure access to critical raw materials essential for the energy and digital transitions. The survey, which involved 180-line kilometres of helicopter-borne magnetic and radiometric data collection over a 19 square kilometre area, is expected to yield valuable insights that will refine geological models and improve exploration targeting.
The Couflens project, which includes the historically significant Salau mine, is strategically important for France’s supply chains, particularly in securing tungsten, a critical raw material. The Salau mine was once one of the highest-grade tungsten operations globally, with mining grades averaging 1.5% WO3 during its operational years from 1971 to 1986. The partnership with BRGM is seen as a crucial step in advancing the exploration of this promising site, which is located 130 kilometres south of Toulouse and spans an area of 42 square kilometres.
The results from the geophysical survey are anticipated to be processed in the coming months, providing essential data that will assist in identifying additional mineralisation targets within the Couflens area. Apollo Minerals plans to integrate this new data with its existing exploration databases to define target anomalies and refine its exploration strategies. Furthermore, the company is preparing for an initial underground drill program aimed at expanding known mineralisation areas and assessing the broader deposit’s mineralised width.
BRGM officials have expressed their commitment to supporting the exploration of potential ore deposits under a contractual framework with private companies, highlighting the importance of the Couflens project as a national asset. The IRM Project is part of the French Government’s 2030 investment plan and aligns with the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act adopted in 2023. This initiative underscores the growing recognition of the need for sustainable access to critical minerals in the face of ecological transitions and industry decarbonisation efforts.
The collaboration between Apollo Minerals and BRGM marks a significant advancement in the exploration of the Couflens Tungsten-Gold Project, promising to enhance France’s mineral resource inventory and secure critical raw materials for future industrial needs.
