Rockfire Resources (AIM:ROCK) has begun a maiden JORC Inferred germanium resource estimate at its Molaoi deposit in Greece.
GeoRes Mining Consultants is running the estimate alongside an updated Inferred zinc resource, with results expected within four weeks.
Molaoi is Rockfire's 100%-owned zinc-lead-silver deposit in Greece, which already carries a JORC Inferred Mineral Resource of 15.0 million tonnes at 7.26% zinc, 1.75% lead and 39.50 g/t silver, alongside significant germanium credits.
Rockfire says that once completed, the germanium resource would make Molaoi one of only two quoted germanium deposits globally outside China, alongside Fireweed Metals' Macmillan Pass project in Canada.
Diamond drilling to upgrade the resource from Inferred to Indicated continues, with hole HMO-022 in progress.
Handheld pXRF readings from HMO-022 detected a 1cm vein of massive chalcopyrite at 179.80 million depth grading 12% copper, the highest copper reading recorded at Molaoi to date.
David Price, chief executive of Rockfire, said the germanium resource process involves "a re-modelling of the main zinc lodes with the inclusion of germanium grades" drawn from resampled historical core and current drilling.
He added that rising demand for germanium, used in "reverse parking sensors in cars, artificial intelligence and precision weaponry", underpins the project's relevance to global supply chains.
Rockfire's own drilling rig is due in Athens on 18 November.