Aeris Resources Ltd (ASX:AIS) has extended massive sulphide mineralisation at the Murrawombie Underground Mine, part of its Tritton Copper Operations, with high-grade copper intersections returned from a completed diamond drilling program.
Drilling targeted extensions to the dominant mineralised lode outside of the current mineral resource envelope and returned positive results both along strike and down plunge.
Results demonstrate prospectivity for further high-grade extensions
Aeris executive chairman Andre Labuschagne said the latest results from Murrawombie were very promising and demonstrated the prospectivity for further high-grade extension along strike to the north and down plunge.
He added: “Since we commenced operations at the Murrawombie Underground Mine in FY17 it has consistently exceeded expectations on both tonnes and grade.”
Highlighted results include:
6.25 metres at 4.64% copper;
12.75 metres at 3.62%;
7.85 metres at 3.64%;
14 metres at 2.77%; and
20.2 metres at 2.52%.
Potential to increase resource base
Massive sulphides were intersected 60 metres along strike from the current mineral resource and copper mineralisation remains open along strike and down plunge.
Copper sulphide mineralisation was also intersected beyond the 102 lode, further into the Hanging Wall (HW), which is a strong indication of the prospectivity surrounding Murrawombie’s known mineralised system and highlights the potential to increase the mineral resource base.
Geological work is ongoing to interpret the number of lodes and their spatial continuity and further drilling is planned in FY20 to assist with the geological modelling process.
The drill rig will now complete two wide-spaced drill holes which are planned to intersect the interpreted 102 lode horizon 150 metres along strike and 190 metres down plunge.
Results from both drill holes will assist in understanding the potential of the larger mineralised footprint as well as assist with future drill planning and mine design.
Characterised by stacked sulphide lodes of varying strike length
The Murrawombie deposit is characterised by multiple northwest-southeast trending stacked sulphide lodes of varying strike length, dipping moderately to the northeast.
Sulphide mineralisation is dominated by pyrite with lesser chalcopyrite and varies in texture from disseminated to massive.
The 102 lode is the dominant lens which contains the majority of the current mineral resource base.
Mineralisation within the 102 lode is characterised by massive sulphides which typically contain high-grade copper intersections, frequently exceeded 2% copper.