Battery Age Minerals Ltd has initiated its first modern diamond drilling campaign at the historic Bleiberg Project in Carinthia, Austria. The initiative is focused on exploring high-grade zinc, lead, and germanium mineralisation along a 10km strike that has been identified through a thorough review of over 100 years of historical mining data, recent geological mapping, and structural analysis. The drilling, contracted to European specialist GEOPS Bohrgesellschaft mbH, will cover an initial 2,000 meters with potential to extend the program based on early results. The project targets carbonate-hosted zones known worldwide for producing some of the highest grades of zinc and germanium-enriched concentrates. Historical records indicate that the Bleiberg Mine produced roughly 5.5 million ounces of germanium and recorded impressive concentrate grades of up to 1,500 g/t germanium and 63% zinc. With current global market shifts—including new export sanctions by China and the European Union’s emphasis on securing critical raw materials—this exploration is strategically positioned to serve Europe’s growing need for germanium in advanced technologies like semiconductors, solar energy, and military-grade photonics. The announcement also underscores a transformational moment for Battery Age Minerals Ltd, with CEO Nigel Broomham personally en route to the site to oversee the campaign. The company’s technical team is optimistic that the ongoing exploration will not only expand the known mineralisation but could also lead to major new discoveries, ultimately supporting Europe's drive for sustainable domestic sources of strategic minerals. Bullish sentiment is likely to be supported by the commencement of a carefully planned drilling campaign at a project with historical high-grade outputs and significant strategic importance amid tightening global supply chains. The engagement of a top-tier drilling contractor and the integration of extensive historical and modern geoscience data further bolster investor confidence in the project’s potential to unlock substantial value. On the bearish side, the intrinsic risks associated with exploration remain a consideration. The early stage of drilling means that actual mineralisation and the commercial viability of any discovered resources still need to be confirmed. Additionally, while the project targets high-grade zones, there is uncertainty about the overall scale of economically recoverable mineralisation, which could temper market enthusiasm if results do not meet expectations.