Cooper Metals Ltd (ASX:CPM) has brought forward a drilling program at the Mt Isa East copper-gold project’s Ardmore South targets, with reverse circulation work now slated to kick off next week.
The precious and base metals explorer has inked a contract to kick off the 2,000-metre campaign, which will test several induced polarisation (IP) and geochemistry targets along a 1.5-kilometre trend.
One of these targets include an IP chargeability anomaly, measuring around 500 metres in length and boasting strong depth potential, and Cooper is eager to hit the ground running with drilling in this region.
Chargeability anomaly at Ardmore South.
As it prepares to turn the soil, Cooper is waiting on further rock chip assays from its Ardmore North and South tenements and will update the market shortly.
Fast tracking samples
Cooper Metals managing director Ian Warland said the team had brought together the final pieces of the puzzle, including a heritage survey and the drilling contract, to get the program underway.
“We will prioritise the strong IP chargeability anomaly with coincident copper-gold anomalism,” he explained.
“Once drilling is underway, we will fast track any samples through the Mt Isa laboratory and provide updates as information comes to hand.”
Exploring Ardmore South
Just last month, Cooper announced that survey, mapping and sampling work at Mt Isa East had revealed an intriguing gradient array chargeability anomaly.
An IP pole-dipole line was completed through the centre of the northern chargeability anomaly, highlighting its strong chargeability response and depth potential.
Specifically, the anomaly is vertical to steeply west dipping, modelled to more than 200 metres deep and open down dip.
Geochemical mapping and sampling has also identified several strong copper and gold assays in rock chips along a 1.5-kilometre trending shear zone at Ardmore South.
The mineralised shear zones are broadly consistent with the anomalous IP chargeability zones, and the IP may indicate significant mineralisation at depth. As such, RC drilling will kick off on the strong chargeability zone in the grid’s northeast.
The Ardmore South prospect is just 5.5 kilometres from Carnaby Resources Ltd (ASX:CNB)’s Mt Hope deposit. The tenement is adjacent to the Fountain Range Fault, which is currently the focus of exploration at Hammer Metals Ltd’s Ajax and Trafalgar copper-gold prospects.