Infinity Metals Ltd (ASX:INF) has expanded its Swansea Copper Project in Arizona by 47%, securing additional ground over structures interpreted to host extensions and repetitions of the high-grade copper mineralisation historically mined at the project.
The company has staked 16 additional mineral lode claims and 4 placer claims, all 100%-owned, alongside the 34 claims already held under an option agreement. The enlarged tenure now covers more than 5 kilometres of strike across interpreted mineralised structures, historical workings and mineral occurrences.
Infinity is now undertaking baseline studies required for drilling approvals while compiling historical data and reviewing existing mineralised stockpiles.
High-grade copper history underpins exploration case
Swansea is a historical copper mine in La Paz County, Arizona, where structurally controlled mineralisation produced around 29 million pounds of copper at an average head grade of 2.43% over the mine's operating life.
Post-mining exploration drilling also returned several high-grade intersections, including:
- 18.3 metres at 3.8% copper from 125 metres;
- 19.5 metres at 2.32% copper from 122 metres;
- 14.6 metres at 2.0% copper from 67 metres; and
- 6.1 metres at 2.5% copper from 128 metres and 4.9 metres at 2.7% copper from 143 metres.
The newly staked claims extend west, east and north of the existing Swansea tenure across prospective structures and proven host-rock stratigraphy.
Mapping has confirmed historical interpretations of structures running broadly east-northeast to west-southwest through the Swansea deposit, while investigations of upper-level underground workings have confirmed the mineralisation style and structural controls and highlighted the potential for extensions.
Infinity executive chairman Adrian Byass said the company had identified areas that could host extensions and repetitions of Swansea's historical high-grade copper mineralisation.
“As work continues, we have confirmed areas which could host extensions and repeats of the high-grade copper mineralisation previously mined at Swansea. Ensuring we have acquired these areas prior to the next stage of work was critical.”
Swansea Copper Project
The Swansea mineralisation is associated with specular hematite, with copper and iron interpreted to have been introduced into favourable carbonate stratigraphy through feeder structures.
Infinity considers this geological setting suitable for gravity and magnetic surveying, with data from planned geophysical work expected to be incorporated into future drill targeting.
The claim map on page 2 of the announcement shows the expanded tenure extending along the principal structural trend and encompassing additional historical workings and shafts outside the original claim package.
Next steps
Infinity is progressing baseline studies needed to support drilling approvals on land administered by the US Bureau of Land Management.
Substantive exploration, including drilling and bulk sampling, will require a Plan of Operations, while geophysical work such as aeromagnetic surveys can be undertaken outside that approval process.
The company is also continuing its review and compilation of historical workings and existing stockpiles as it develops drill targets across the expanded project area.
About Infinity Metals
Infinity Metals is building a copper-molybdenum exploration strategy in the Nevada-Arizona mining district, with the Swansea Copper Project forming part of that portfolio.
The company is continuing to assess additional projects and potential board appointments as it develops that strategy.