Galileo Resources PLC (LON:GLR) will hunt for near-surface copper at the Homeep target at its Concordia project, starting next month, after modelling suggested high grades at the prospect.
The top three targets for open pit potential at the South Africa project have been ranked as Homeep, KoeelKop and Henderson.
The first phase of the IP study will be at the Homeep Trend.
Recent modelling work showed the potential over a very small portion of strike of the overall trend for 942,435 tonnes of ore grading 0.89% of copper.
This used a cut-off of 0.2% copper, which confirmed the expected high grade of the Homeep deposit, the firm said.
At a higher 0.5% cut-off, the tonnage was 838,061 at a grade of 0.96% copper.
Galileo chairman and chief executive Colin Bird said: "The Homeep Trend on Concordia has been chosen as the first site for IP since it has hosted at least two underground copper mines."
He added: "IP as a tool has had universal success in locating near surface massive and disseminated sulphide ore bodies and we are confident that this tool will work in the Concordia environment."
Galileo also announced today that its prospecting right for Concordia had been executed and valid for a further three years to August 17, 2019
"The prospecting right renewal has been executed and we are in good standing for a period, which will allow us to carry out well reasoned technical work and advance the project to its next stage of mining licence application," said Bird.
Separately today, Galileo also reported its results for the year to end March.
It reported a loss of £419,627 narrowed from a loss of £10.7mln for the same period last year - representing a loss of 0.3p per share against a loss of 9.4p per share in 2015.
Since March 31, significantly, the group sold the Gabbs gold-copper property in Nevada, USA for US$2.5 million cash to a subsidiary of Waterton.
In April, it struck a farm-out agreement with Orogen Gold Plc (LON:ORE) to explore on its Silverton gold project 80 km north east of Tonopah, Nevada.
Orogen can carry out an exploration programme to earn a 51% interest over 18 months with Galileo having the right to match future expenditures over a further 30 months or dilute to a 25% interest.
Galileo shares gained 0.98% to 1.54p on the day.