Aruma Resources Ltd (ASX:AAJ) has identified three high-priority exploration areas at its 100%-owned Fiery Creek Copper Project in Queensland’s Mt Isa copper belt after completing a project-wide geological study and new 3D structural model.
The study integrated geological mapping, drilling, geochemistry, airborne magnetics, gravity data and three-dimensional inversion modelling, producing what Aruma described as the first comprehensive geological and structural interpretation of the project area.
Aruma Resources Fiery Creek Project Regional Map with the current mines and prospects.
Three priority regions emerge
The work identified three standout Regions of Interest where prospective host rocks coincide with structural complexity and evidence of copper mineralisation.
The first centres on the Fiery Creek Prospect, where Mt Oxide Chert host rocks are folded and intersected by fault systems. Historical exploration has also identified ferruginous fault zones carrying anomalous copper values, with mineralisation interpreted to continue at depth.
A second target covers the Western Structural Corridor, including the Hellfire and Fenceline prospects, where thickened packages of prospective chert, dolomitic and carbonaceous sedimentary rocks occur within a structurally complex zone.
The third, the Northwestern Stratigraphic Belt, contains repeated prospective chert, dolomitic and carbonaceous units together with recorded copper occurrences at Piper, while the Falcon Prospect has also been prioritised for follow-up exploration.
Similarities with major Mt Isa copper deposits
An important outcome of the study was the identification of geological and structural similarities between Fiery Creek and the nearby Mt Oxide and Gunpowder copper deposits.
These include the presence of the Mt Oxide Chert marker horizon and associated prospective host rocks, structural complexity generated by folding and faulting, and potential pathways and traps for mineralising fluids.
The study concluded Fiery Creek may represent a parallel structural corridor to the trend hosting Mt Oxide and Gunpowder, strengthening the exploration case for structurally hosted copper mineralisation.
“The completion of this independent structural review and 3D geological model is a significant milestone for the Fiery Creek Project. The work provides strong support for our view that Fiery Creek has the geological attributes required to host significant structurally controlled copper mineralisation,” Aruma managing director Grant Ferguson said.
He added that the model would play a critical role in targeting future exploration and drilling programs.
Next steps at Fiery Creek
Aruma now plans detailed geological remapping across the priority areas, along with regional mapping and sampling at Fiery Creek, Hellfire and Fenceline.
The company also intends to investigate ferruginous drainage features, acquire higher-resolution magnetic data where appropriate and undertake further inversion modelling to better define structures at depth.
These programs are designed to advance the highest-priority targets towards drill testing.
Concurrently, the company is progressing its Phase 2 diamond drilling campaign at the Tillex Copper-Silver Project in Ontario’s Timmins mining district, with six holes completed for 1,046 metres and first assay results expected within the next two weeks.
It has also recently cleared a key permitting milestone at its Wilan Project in South Australia, executing a Native Title Mining Agreement with the Arabana Aboriginal Corporation ahead of a planned maiden aircore drilling program.