Thor Mining PLC (LON:THR) has started to look at the potential for copper as well as tungsten at its Molyhil deposit in Australia.
Mick Billing, executive chairman, said it had come across the copper indications while drilling a hole to produce a bulk sample for metallurgical work.
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There was extensive high-grade mineralisation of scheelite - one of the main sources of tungsten - and good levels of molybdenum.
"The high-grade nature of the scheelite mineralisation provides further substantial confidence in the Molyhil deposit,” said Billing.
Levels of copper at potentially economic levels at Molyhil, however, had not been considered until now with no credit in resource or feasibility studies.
"Copper, while part of historic mineral resource estimates at Molyhil, has not been included in the resource estimate for some time, however recent test work has shown encouraging results for production of a separate saleable concentrate.
"While this work has implications for potential production from the nearby Bonya deposits, it is expected to also apply to any copper mineralisation extracted at Molyhil.
"This has led to the reappraisal of the copper potential at Molyhil itself."