Perpetua Finds New Gold Zone at Stibnite

Drilling at the Idaho Stibnite Gold project intersected high-grade gold near a permitted pit during the 2026 exploration program.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Construction

Exploration drill rig on a cleared mountainside in central Idaho, with a forested ridge rising behind it under overcast daylight. — Perpetua Resources reported a new high-grade gold zone at its Stibnite project in Idaho, with a 109.7-meter drill intercept grading 3.2 grams per ton gold. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Perpetua Resources reported a new gold discovery during its 2026 exploration drilling at the Stibnite Gold project in central Idaho. The Fiddle discovery hole returned 109.7 meters grading 3.2 g/t gold and 1.1% antimony.

Why it matters

The Stibnite project is positioned as a potential domestic source of antimony and gold, and the United States has sought to reduce reliance on China, which supplies most antimony outside U.S. control. Additional high-grade intervals near the permitted Yellow Pine pit could influence the project's long-term resource base.

Drilling at Stibnite has completed over 16,000 meters of core, with the Fiddle discovery hole SB633 returning 109.7 meters at 3.2 g/t gold and 1.1% antimony. The project carries a $1.3 billion capital cost and projected annual output of about 450,000 ounces of gold, but whether the Fiddle zone adds to reserves remains unknown.

The players

Perpetua Resources

Perpetua Resources is a mining company developing the Stibnite Gold project in central Idaho, which holds antimony and gold reserves.

The details

Follow-up drilling from the Clark Tunnel Fault Zone continued to show near-surface, high-grade gold, including 25.4 meters at 4.5 g/t gold from 13 meters downhole. Twenty-one additional holes were drilled along strike of SB633, and three holes tested structural controls in the Meadow Creek Fault Zone.

2026: Exploration drilling program at the Stibnite Gold project

Industry Context

The United States has sought to reduce dependence on Chinese antimony, which supplies most of the world outside U.S. control. Stibnite's proven and probable reserves of 148 million pounds of antimony position the project as a potential domestic source.

Residents near central Idaho may see continued drilling and development activity at Stibnite as the project advances toward production. Any future permitting or construction milestones would affect local employment and traffic in the region.

The takeaway

Drilling results like these shape whether a mining project can expand its resource base before a feasibility decision. Readers tracking domestic critical minerals should watch for formal resource updates from Perpetua Resources.