Cooper Metals Ltd (ASX:CPM) has enhanced the copper-gold prospectivity of the Raven prospect within the Mt Isa East Copper-Gold Project in northwest Queensland through recent geochemistry and geophysics surveys.
Analysis of the down hole electromagnetic survey (DHEM) of drill hole 23MERC033 at Raven, has identified a modelled conductive plate extending for about 100 metres along strike to the south-southeast of the current drilling.
Modelled conductor
Cooper Metals managing director Ian Warland said, “Raven copper-gold mineralisation contains pyrrhotite that responds well to electromagnetic surveys, hence the recent DHEM survey indicates a modelled conductor extending for at least 100 metres along strike from the nearest drill hole.
“The presence of the DHEM conductor combined with new strong geochemical sampling results along the same SSE (LON:SSE) trend, provides robust drill targeting for our next program.
“Raven is one of several exciting prospects that Cooper is planning to follow up during the 2024 field season and is only 3-kilometres south of the Brumby Ridge copper-gold prospect.”
DHEM response “potentially significant”
Cooper details the two reasons why the DHEM response in drill hole 23MERC033 is potentially significant.
Firstly, the copper-gold mineralisation at Raven contains pyrrhotite (iron sulphide), which is conductive and responds to EM surveys.
Secondly, the hole (23MERC023) drilled last year features two zones of mineralisation. These include:
- 8 metres at 1.0% copper and 0.08 g/t gold from 85 metres, including 1 metre at 1.79% and 0.25 g/t gold from 85 metres and 2 metres at 2.96% and 0.16 g/t gold from 91 metres (23MER033), and
- 12 metres at 0.81% copper and 0.09 g/t gold from 113 metres, including 8 metres at 1.0% copper and 0.11 g/t gold from 113 metres, and 3 metres at 1.68% and 0.21 g/t gold.
Further, Cooper notes that new rock chip sampling at Raven has identified 3.96% copper from a narrow gossan that is about 165 metres south-southeast along strike from the nearest drill hole and along strike from the DHEM conductive plate model.
Looking ahead
The company has planned follow-up drilling of up to four holes for around 600 metres of RC drilling to be conducted at Raven, targeting the extensions to the known mineralisation as evidenced by recent geophysical and geochemical surveys.
The plan is to conduct this follow-up drilling at Raven following drilling at the Brumby Ridge copper-gold prospect 3 kilometres to the north.
Cooper has more than 50 targets in its 1,600 square kilometres of tenure, with Raven being just one prospect that shows promise in the Brumby Ridge area. The company has a large drilling campaign planned to kick off at Brumby Ridge in the current quarter.
Mt Isa East Project.