Castillo Copper Ltd (ASX:CCZ) is set to commence the inaugural drilling program at its Cangai Copper Mine in New South Wales following the receipt of regulatory approvals.
The drilling campaign will comprise circa 2,250 metres reverse circulation drilling across 12-drill holes.
Significantly, this is the first step towards putting in place tangible measures to upgrade the existing copper-silver-gold deposit at Cangai and allowing for an upgraded JORC 2012 resource to be generated.
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Alan Armstrong, executive director, said: “The board is delighted to get regulatory approval to commence the inaugural drilling program at Cangai Copper Mine before Christmas.
“As the drilling team have been on standby, they have now mobilised to site and will be able to make a quick start into the JORC modelled lodes that exhibit the highest grade Cu-Ag-Au mineralisation”
Drill equipment being deployed to site
The drill equipment is currently being deployed to site with substantial work to commence pre-Christmas and continue through January.
Castillo’s initial plan will be to start drilling from DP3, given this is adjacent to the highest grade JORC modelled lodes.
Consequently, this should enable early on-site analysis, and subsequently assay results, to provide some clarity on the extent of the resource in addition to what has been JORC modelled.
Castillo’s drilling aims to expand upon the current JORC inferred resource of 3.2 million tonnes grading 3.35% copper.
Topographical and electromagnetic surveys completed
The key strategy for the drilling program is to thoroughly test the JORC modelled lodes and the extent of the mineralisation halo in order to prove that mineralisation exists between the high-grade lodes.
Furthermore, with the completion of the topographical contour and electromagnetic surveys over the main lode area, the additional information gathered will assist with 3D positioning of the drilling program.
The electromagnetic survey data is currently being modelled and will encompass near mine anomalies and depth extensions within the deeper sulphide mineralised zones.
The survey results are currently being modelled and interpreted by Newexco Services, a company which has been credited with numerous sulphide ore discoveries in Australia.
Amongst those discoveries are several high profile Australian deposits, including similar copper ore projects owned by Sandfire Resources (ASX:SFR).
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Castillo is planning to also ramp up cobalt exploration at its 100% owned Broken Hill Project located in New South Wales.