Emmerson Resources Ltd (ASX:ERM) has started an extensional diamond and reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at its 100% owned Hermitage Project at Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory.
The minimum 2,000-metre, 11-drill hole program is aimed at testing for extensions of the mineralisation that remains open to the north, east, west and down plunge of the following discovery holes:
Diamond drill hole HERCDD010 which intersected 94.4 metres at 2.74% copper, 5.58g/t gold, 17.88g/t silver, 0.44% bismuth and includes ultra-high grades from the brecciated main ironstone (from 85 metres downhole); and
RC drill hole HERC003 which intersected 116 metres at 3.38% copper and 0.88g/t gold includes zones of significantly high-grade copper and gold (from 76 metres downhole).
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Emmerson’s recently appointed managing director Mike Dunbar said: “I am pleased to have joined the Emmerson team, who have been busy progressing our exploration efforts following a long wet season and recent unseasonal heavy rainfall in Tennant Creek.
“On my first day at Emmerson, I am happy to announce that follow up drilling at the 100% owned Hermitage Project has commenced.
“I was fortunate to be in Tennant Creek last week and visit the Hermitage Project where previous drilling delivered outstanding grades of copper, gold, cobalt, and bismuth, as evidenced by drill hole HERCDD010 and discovery drill hole HERCDD003 which intersected very wide zones of high-grade mineralisation.
“The extensional drilling at Hermitage, which is expected to be completed in the next 4 weeks, will test the extent of ironstone and mineralisation beneath the fault and the strike extensions to the east and west of the main ironstone.”
Potential for “future facing metals”
Hermitage is one of a cluster of 100% Emmerson-owned prospects in the north of the Tennant Creek Mineral Field (TCMF) where the application of new exploration models and technologies have been successful in unlocking new discoveries.
The mineralisation encountered at Hermitage is hosted in multiple, east-west striking, structurally controlled, ironstone bodies that are steeply north plunging and remain open in all directions.
The occurrence of cobalt and bismuth – in addition to the high gold and copper grades - adds to the inventory of future facing metals relevant to battery, superconductor, magnet and 3D printing sectors.
Read: Emmerson Resources uncovers potential 5-square-kilometre copper district during Kiola drilling
The step change in Emmerson’s discovery success of these deposit types comes from pioneering new technology and techniques.
Emmerson’s multi-disciplinary approach not only utilises new high resolution aeromagnetics but includes deployment of next-generation ultra-fine geochemistry, ironstone fertility indices together with a deep understanding of the 3D structure, alteration and geology.
This phase 3 drill program will test for extensions of the three distinct zones of copper mineralisation.
Consisting of a shallow, mainly malachite zone that grades into native copper at the base of oxidation, then into the deeper primary zone of chalcopyrite mineralisation.
The high-grade gold occurs as free and disseminated in brecciated hematite-magnetite- quartz ironstone, associated with the deeper primary zone.
The drill program will take about 4 weeks to complete.