During the quarter the Company completed extensive ground-based geophysics surveys (gravity and IP) to prioritise potential IOCG drill targets on the southern half of the Peake Project. This complemented the extensive gravity surveys carried out in early 2022 by the Company and followed a detailed review to re-rank all exploration targets across the Company’s Gawler Craton tenements. The final processing of this data is almost complete.
The team also obtained heritage site clearances and applied for drilling approvals for a planned March start to drilling activities. The Company intends to drill test the highest-ranked targets in Phase One of a multi-phased drilling program on the Peake Project.
In parallel to drill testing, the exploration team will continue conducting a near-miss analysis of previous drill holes in the region. This technical deep dive will enable the Company to analyse the results of the planned drilling more robustly and may identify a near miss from historical results. In IOCG mineral systems, a major discovery can be missed by as little as a few hundred metres, and it is rare to strike the centre of an IOCG deposit in the first drill hole. Therefore, the importance of recognising a near-miss is critical. The exploration team is building a thorough multi-element geochemistry and alteration near-miss analysis model in the context of the rock types present in the Peake Project.
Results of the infill ground-based geophysics (IP and gravity) program will be announced in early February, well ahead of planned drilling in late March.
The Gawler Craton is a world-class mining district in South Australia and is endowed with over 100 million tonnes of copper and 110 million ounces of gold. Copper Search’s Peake Project covers over 5,560 sq km giving the company a strong ground position in the district.
CORPORATE
Cash position at 31 December 2022 was $7.6 million.
In 2017 when the Company founders secured the ground position of the Peake Project in South Australia, the analogy to the Cloncurry region was proposed but unproven, the regional geophysics data was ineffective for target definition and only one drill hole per 200km2 intersected basement. It was a challenging and under-explored region.
By the end of 2019, a high-quality state-funded regional airborne magnetic survey changed the game, paving the way for drill target identification.
Proof of concept was then demonstrated in 2022 with confirmed Cloncurry style IOCG alteration & mineralisation in drilling on the neighbouring Wills and Mawson Prospects, funded by OZ Minerals.
Significantly the Wills Prospect is on the same structural corridor as several Copper Search targets planned for drill testing in the first half of 2023.
With a commanding 5,560km2 ground position, 100% owned, drill targets defined, $7.6m cash in the bank and heritage surveys completed, Copper Search is well positioned for discovery success in 2023.
MORE INVESTOR UPDATES
Investor Presentation: Heavy Mineral Sands Focus
Copper Search Ltd (ASX: CUS) is pleased to announce newly identified heavy mineral sands potential at the Company’s Peake Project in South Australia.
Conditions Precedent Satisfied on the Theseus Copper Gold Project
Copper Search has secured a strategic 944km2 ground position in the Macquarie Arc – Lachlan Fold Belt, NSW
Entitlement Offer Prospectus
Copper Search Ltd (ASX: CUS) is pleased to offer all Eligible Shareholders the opportunity to participate in an Entitlement Offer.
Successful Placement Completed & Rights Issue To Open
Copper Search Ltd (ASX: CUS) is pleased to advise that it has successfully completed a capital raise to fund exploration and project generation for Heavy Mineral Sands (HMS) in South Australia (SA) and working capital.
Heavy Mineral Sands Targets Identified At The Peake Project
Copper Search Ltd (ASX: CUS) is pleased to announce newly identified heavy mineral sands potential at the Company’s Peake Project in South Australia.
New Theseus Gold Copper Project Secured in Lachlan Fold Belt, NSW
Copper Search has secured a strategic 944km2 ground position in the Macquarie Arc – Lachlan Fold Belt, NSW