Cooper Metals Ltd (ASX:CPM) is making progress in its quest to pick out new copper-gold targets using reconnaissance sampling and ground truthing for versatile time-domain electromagnetic (VTEM) anomalies at the Mt Isa East Project in northwest Queensland.
Detailed VTEM and ground truthing
The company has wrapped up more than 2,230 line kilometres in two detailed VTEM airborne surveys over the last 12 months.
A June 2022 survey identified multiple anomalies for ground truthing and, in June 2023, the second survey over the Barbara East tenement identified 10 high-priority VTEM responses.
Last month Cooper geologists conducted a heliborne reconnaissance survey to ground-truth some of the VTEM anomalies and other prospects from both VTEM survey areas.
Ground truthing is designed to inspect the surface area to determine the possible source of the VTEM/geochemical anomalies. Twenty rock chip samples were collected as part of this program.
Among notable discoveries is the Raven prospect, where a VTEM anomaly and copper-gold-rich gossan have been identified during ground truthing.
Enter the Raven
Rock chip results at Raven reveal copper concentrations as high as 26.7% and gold grades reaching 2.49 g/t. This finding gives the company confidence in the prospect's potential as a significant copper-gold deposit.
Also at the project, the Barbara East tenement boasts two prominent VTEM anomalies, VTEM003 and VTEM005. These are on the Corella/dolerite contact, marked by robust quartz and iron oxide veining and anomalous copper presence.
Detailed analysis of the VTEM plate model indicates that the anomalies extend for around 600 metres, with a depth of 25-50 metres below the surface. The targets also dip moderately to the east, presenting promising opportunities for drilling operations.
Another VTEM anomaly, VTEM010, can be found within the Barbara East tenement on the sheared contact between the Argylla Formation and the Wonga Granite.
Rock chip samples from this area, specifically MER272, have shown anomalous copper and gold values over a modelled conductor extending some 300 metres in length.
Similar to the Barbara East anomalies, VTEM010 also dips moderately to the east, highlighting its potential as a valuable drill target.
Significant mineralisation
Cooper Metals Limited has not limited its exploration efforts to the aforementioned prospects. Several other areas have been sampled for the first time, including Rocky Rule, S.W, Costeen and the newly discovered Bowlers prospect.
Looking into the S.W shaft.
Initial rock chip results from these sites have yielded significant mineralisation, prompting further analysis and evaluation for potential drill testing in 2023.
The company's recent reconnaissance sampling campaign and ground truthing activities have offered promising insights into the untapped potential of the Mt Isa East Project.
Cooper Metals managing director Ian Warland said: “After finishing the VTEM survey in early June, Cooper has now completed initial helicopter-supported ground truthing over the Barbara East tenement area and has identified three VTEM anomalies that exhibit high prospectivity for copper-gold mineralisation, worthy of follow up and drill testing.
“As part of the same reconnaissance trip, the discovery of the new Raven prospect which has a VTEM response over a copper-gold rich gossan is highly encouraging.
“Cooper continues to build and rank its pipeline of copper-gold targets and is planning to drill test a series of the best targets in the 2023 field season. We will provide more updates as they come to hand.”