{"url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-26/tivan-baucau-scorpion-drilling-works","markdown_url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-26/tivan-baucau-scorpion-drilling-works.md","title":"Tivan Starts Baucau Site Works Ahead of Scorpion Drilling","headline":"Tivan Begins Baucau Civil Works as Scorpion Maiden Drilling Nears","description":"Tivan has approval for civil works at its Scorpion prospect in Timor-Leste, targeting up to six diamond holes and 1,500 metres of maiden drilling.","section":"Expansion","published_at":"2026-10-26T00:22:25+00:00","modified_at":"2026-10-26T00:22:25+00:00","author":"News Desk","key_takeaways":["Tivan gained approval from Timor-Leste's National Mineral Authority to start land clearance for access tracks and drill pads at the Baucau project's Scorpion prospect.","The planned campaign covers up to six diamond drill holes totalling as much as 1,500 metres across a 2.3-square-kilometre area.","Drilling remains conditional on an environmental licence, with a Simplified Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Management Plan lodged with the regulator."],"companies":[{"name":"Tivan","is_primary":true,"profile_url":"https://akta.pro/company-profiles/000ebgk/tivan","website":"https://www.tngltd.com.au"}],"source":{"publisher":"TradingView","title":"Tivan Starts Site Works Ahead of Maiden Drilling at Baucau’s Scorpion Prospect","url":"https://www.tradingview.com/news/smallcaps:69816806e094b:0-tivan-starts-site-works-ahead-of-maiden-drilling-at-baucau-s-scorpion-prospect/"},"other_sources":[],"tags":["Expansion","Tivan"],"body_markdown":"[Tivan](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/000ebgk/tivan) Limited has gained approval to start preparatory civil works at its Scorpion prospect in Timor-Leste, targeting maiden drilling in early November, [TradingView](https://www.tradingview.com/news/smallcaps:69816806e094b:0-tivan-starts-site-works-ahead-of-maiden-drilling-at-baucau-s-scorpion-prospect/) reported. The Australian critical minerals developer holds fluorite, tungsten, molybdenum and copper-gold projects across northern Australia and Timor-Leste.\n\n## Tivan Clears Tracks and Pads at Scorpion\n\nLocal contractors are beginning land clearance for access tracks and drill pads at the Baucau project, following authorisation from the country's National Mineral Authority. The planned campaign comprises up to six diamond drill holes totalling as much as 1,500 metres across a 2.3-square-kilometre area.\n\nThe maiden holes are designed to establish subsurface geological information that will help the explorer refine and rank its subsequent drilling targets at Scorpion. Drilling remains conditional on an environmental licence, with Tivan having submitted the necessary environmental assessment and management plan to the regulator.\n\nScorpion had previously been given a Category B environmental classification, enabling planning to advance before the latest clearance for civil works. A man-portable rig sourced from PT Indodrill Indonesia is expected to clear customs early this week, with the drill crew already in Dili. The crew is due to travel with the rig to Tivan's Casa Tivan base in Baucau later this week, ahead of a program expected to run for six to seven weeks.\n\nSurface sampling previously delineated a polymetallic anomaly extending approximately 1,000m by 800m, returning grades of up to 6.87% copper and 24.70 grams per tonne gold. The Baucau project lies about 123 kilometres east of Timor-Leste capital Dili and includes three granted exploration and evaluation licences near the company's Ro-Ulo exploration compound.\n\n\"Our big push to deliver a maiden drill program in Timor-Leste before year end is on track,\" executive chair Grant Wilson said. \"Much credit is due to our local team, who have worked frenetically over recent months to bring all the moving pieces together.\"\n\n## Tivan's Funding and Project Records\n\nAccording to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data), Tivan executed a Key Terms MoU with Sumitomo Corporation and ETFS Capital in June 2026 establishing a $50 million stage-gated investment framework for Molyhil, with Tivan retaining 82.5% effective project interest at Final Investment Decision. The same records show equity commitments of up to $100 million secured for the Speewah Fluorite Project through a joint venture with Sumitomo Corporation and JOGMEC, and a market cap of A$601.38 million as of June 2026 for the ASX-listed company.\n\n## Earlier Licences and Drilling Plans\n\nTivan was awarded Exploration and Evaluation Licence MEL2025-CA-ZC004 in September 2026, covering about 50 km2 north of its Turiscai Project in Timor-Leste, [Shanghai Metals Market](https://akta.pro/news-signals) reported. The licence expands the project to eight licences totaling about 394 km2, with rock-chip sampling returning up to 23.1% Cu and 7.19 g/t Au.\n\nIn August 2026, Tivan announced plans to begin drilling at its Walshy's Wall project, described as a key part of its regional exploration strategy, AInvest reported. The company also said in August 2026 that it was securing funding to advance the definitive feasibility study for its Speewah Fluorite Project in Western Australia, appointing ICA Natural Resources to advise on debt financing.\n\n## Scorpion Drilling Timeline\n\nTivan expects to deliver the maiden drill program before year end, with the campaign targeting early November. The environmental licence must be approved before drilling starts.\n","publisher":{"name":"News for Agent","url":"https://newsforagent.com"}}