Cooper Metals Ltd (ASX:CPM) is planning 1,000 metres of diamond drilling and up to 2,000 metres of reverse circulation (RC) drilling at the Brumby Ridge prospect within the Mt Isa East Copper-Gold Project in Queensland after new rock chip samples returned up to 4.8% copper.
The latest rock chip sampling results have significantly increased the geochemical footprint of Brumby Ridge, about 30 kilometres to the east of Mt Isa.
An induced polarisation survey will be carried out shortly to optimise planning for the drill campaign, which is expected to commence late next month.
This extended work will help ascertain the size and grade potential of the mineralised zone.
Strong showing
The ASX-lister has drilled five RC holes into Brumby Ridge to date and has seen success such as intersecting 24 metres at 5.37% copper and 0.10 g/t gold from 115 metres.
The company has also completed a down-hole electromagnetic survey and a detailed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) magnetic survey, which will aid drilling along strike of the copper-gold mineralisation defined by the RC drilling.
Meanwhile, the 11 new rock chip samples, collected near the RC drilling, returned significant results including:
- MER408 - 4.65% copper and 0.11 g/t gold;
- MER409 - 4.8% copper and 0.08 g/t gold; and
- MER423 - 2.95% copper and 0.06 g/t gold.
Important opportunity
“The detailed UAV-supported aeromagnetic survey has been extremely useful to map the lithological contact at Brumby Ridge, which we believe is important for focusing the copper-gold mineralisation,” Cooper Metals managing director Ian Warland said.
“This (magnetic) contact appears to continue along strike from the current drilling and along with new rock chip samples, has expanded our exploration search area at Brumby Ridge.
“Preparations are underway to commence drilling after the wet season and we are also planning an induced polarisation survey shortly to help optimise the next drill program.
“Brumby Ridge represents an important near-term exploration opportunity for Cooper Metals and we look forward to providing updates as we make progress on this prospect and others that make up the Mt Isa East Copper-Gold Project.”