Apollo Silver Confirms High-Quality Barite at Calico, Boosting Project Economics

Apollo Silver Corp. (TSX-V: APGO) is a precious metals exploration company focused on advancing two major silver projects in the United States. In a recent press release, the company announced positive results from test work on barite mineralization at its Calico Silver Project in California.

The results confirm that barite from Calico can be concentrated into a high-quality product meeting industry standards for use as a weighting agent in petroleum drilling fluids. A barite concentrate grading up to 94.6% BaSO4 was produced during flotation testing. Analysis by independent laboratories verified that the concentrate meets the stringent chemical and physical specifications set by the American Petroleum Institute (API) for drilling-grade barite.

This is important news for Apollo Silver investors. The potential to generate revenue from barite as a by-product in addition to silver extraction could improve project economics. Barite demand is strong in the U.S., with over 75% imported. The strategic location of the Calico project near key transportation infrastructure is advantageous for accessing markets.

The test work results validate historical estimates that the Calico deposit contains substantial barite resources. Barite production could offset costs while also reducing mine waste. Further optimization testing is warranted and Apollo Silver plans to continue assessing the opportunity.

With advanced silver projects in tier-one mining jurisdictions and the potential upside from barite, Apollo Silver Corp. represents an attractive investment opportunity. Investors should keep an eye on the company's continued exploration results and development plans.