Ragusa Minerals (ASX:RAS) has expanded its Purple Pansy Manganese-Gold Project in Arizona, USA, with the addition of 201 staked tenements, increasing the total project area to approximately 4,142 acres.
The new claims, selected to cover the most prospective parts of the district-scale manganese and gold system, include historical mining sites such as Valley View, Pansy, Pump, Black Bart, Kat Head, Black Rock Group, Apache, and American Mine.
The expanded 9km-long project zone enhances Ragusa’s exploration potential for gold and manganese, providing immediate target areas for drilling, sampling, and metallurgical testing.
Ragusa Chair Jerko Zuvela said the expansion represents a "first-mover opportunity" in the region, offering growth prospects for multiple strategic minerals and increasing development optionality.
The company is also progressing a transaction to acquire a 60.09% controlling interest in Pegasus Tel, which will in turn hold 100% of the Purple Pansy Project, while Red Beryl Mining company will provide strategic support for two years post-completion.
Positioned within a mining-friendly jurisdiction and a US critical minerals corridor, the project aligns with national priorities to rebuild domestic manganese supply chains, given its strategic importance to the US energy and defence sectors.
Ragusa plans a comprehensive work program, including exploration, feasibility studies, environmental baseline assessments, and engagement with government and industry partners.
At the time of reporting, Ragusa Minerals' share price was $0.032.