Cooper Metals Ltd (ASX:CPM) has uncovered three plunging shoots of higher-grade copper-gold mineralisation within a key target at the King Solomon prospect, part of the Mt Isa East Copper-Gold Project in northwest Queensland.
The precious and base metal explorer drilled down at the King Solomon 1 target in August, completing 20 reverse circulation (RC) holes to test IP anomalies and extend the mineralisation found in the maiden drill program in June.
Now, the results are in, and Cooper has intersected results like 14 metres at 0.8% copper from 102 metres, including 4 metres at 1.9% copper and 0.12 g/t gold, and 1-metre at 1.2% copper from 125 metres.
Notably, the latest assays complement other key intersections reported earlier this month, such as 19 metres at 1.6% copper and 0.21 g/t gold from 123 metres, including 5 metres at 4.5% copper and 0.57 g/t gold.
Digging deeper
Overall, Cooper’s August program managed to intersect copper and gold along strike in both directions and down dip.
The precious and base metal mineralisation has been intersected over 650 metres of strike, while the three higher-grade, southeast-plunging shoots at King Solomon 1 remain open at depth.
Other strong results from this batch of assays include:
- 20 metres at 0.8% copper from 132 metres, including 3 metres at 1.5% copper and 0.12 g/t gold, 2 metres at 1.1% copper and 0.1 g/t gold, and 2 metres at 1.7% copper and 0.12 g/t gold;
- 8 metres at 0.7% copper from 93 metres, including 4 metres at 1.3% copper;
- 37 metres at 0.5% copper from 88 metres, including 6 metres at 1.3% copper and 0.11 g/t gold, and 1-metre at 1.5% copper and 0.14 g/t gold from 123 metres;
- 30 metres at 0.5% copper from 86 metres, including 8 metres at 1.5% copper and 1-metre at 0.7% copper and 1.95 g/t gold from 32 metres; and
- 22 metres at 0.4% copper from 63 metres, including 1-metre at 1.3% copper and 0.17 g/t gold, 1-metre at 1.1% copper and 2 metres at 1.1% copper.
Notably, the only hole drilled from the western side intersected a high-grade gold hit from in the footwall zone, away from the main copper lode.
As a result, Cooper believes the footwall requires further investigation for gold potential.
Developing King Solomon’s potential
Cooper managing director Ian Warland said: “With all the remaining drill hole assays now back, King Solomon’s potential is growing significantly, with three higher grade plunging shoots identified at King Solomon 1.
“The identification of the plunging shoots is highly encouraging as this pattern has been recognised in many other iron-oxide copper-gold deposits of the region, and it now gives us a robust model to test for the continuation of higher grades at depth.
"The company has now turned its focus to further exploring King Solomon at depth while continuing with the regional exploration program at pace.”
Next up, Cooper will plan and execute a follow-up geophysical program over its deeper targets, as well as drill test new targets at King Solomon 1.
The precious and base metal stock also plans to conduct regional exploration over its versatile time domain electromagnetic (VTEM) targets at Mt Isa.