Taruga Minerals Ltd (ASX:TAR) has completed a reconnaissance field exploration program including rock chip sampling and mapping over the Wyacca Prospect on the Mt Craig Copper Project (MCCP) in South Australia.
The company has also conducted a review of historical IP data (collected by CAMS Leases Pty Ltd (CAMS) in the 1960s) which was remodelled at the Wyacca Prospect, highlighting:
- An open-ended IP anomaly was defined over a distance of at least 1.7 kilometres;
- Mapped and sampled breccias coincide with the anomaly at the surface;
- Historic RC holes drilled in the 1960s did not intersect the core of the anomaly – reported up to 58 metres of copper mineralisation along the anomaly margins; and
- Recent breccia sampling results at Wyacca include.
A well-defined IP anomaly with an associated low resistivity anomaly has been defined over a distance of at least 1.7 kilometres by the IP survey and is coincident with three historic copper workings, which reported rock chip results of up to 21.6% copper and 11.4 g/t silver.
“Strong association between anomaly, rock chip samples and historical intercepts”
Taruga CEO Thomas Line said: “The reprocessing and modelling of the historical IP survey has confirmed a strong association exists between the IP chargeability anomaly, high-grade rock chip samples and significant historical drill intercepts.
“This further highlights the copper and silver potential at Wyacca.
“The survey shows that only two of the historical holes, which also contained the best historical intercepts at Wyacca (CAMS W2 and CAMS W3), were drilled in close proximity to the IP anomaly and were stopped short of intersecting the main body of the anomaly at depth.
“Taruga will plan a number of angled holes across the IP anomaly which will show the grade potential and true width which is expected to exceed 50 metres from historical drilling.”
Highlighting Wyacca potential
Line said the field mapping and sampling have further highlighted the potential at Wyacca where a number of east-west striking parallel, mineralised breccias were identified for follow up with drilling.
He said: “We understand and respect that we seek to explore on the traditional lands of Aboriginal people and are committed to good faith engagement with identified Aboriginal stakeholders wherever we operate.
“This includes seeking to maximise the benefits for Aboriginal people from our drilling program and any future mining activity.
“Good engagement with identified Aboriginal stakeholder groups continues to ensure land access at Mt Craig and the management of obligations under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988.”
The Wyacca Prospect is in the northern portion of the Mt Craig Copper Project (MCCP) and was the first operational small-scale mine in the MCCP area, with copper being first discovered and developed in 1863.
Recent breccia sampling results at Wyacca also include
- 17.8% copper and 6.4 g/t silver; and
- 11.6% copper and 23.2g/t silver.
MCCP Project Outline showing Priority Exploration Targets, Historical Copper and Gold Mineral Occurrences & Mines, and the Main Structural Feature being the Worrumba Anticline.
Taruga and Strikeline prospect
Taruga and Strikeline are progressing all relevant approvals toward drilling in non-native title ground at Wyacca, in consultation with Traditional owners.
Negotiations are underway for a Native Title Mining Agreement (NTMA) with traditional owners for exploration on the portion of the MCCP where Native Title is determined.
A ministerial authorisation will be sought under Section 23 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 (SA) to resolve uncertainty in areas where Native Title has not been determined at the Flinders project.
This will support the restart of drilling activities at the Woolshed and Jenkins Prospect.
Future Work
The company has started with prioritising drill targets at Wyacca and in conjunction with Strikeline Resources Pty Ltd, is progressing well with all relevant drilling approvals.
Reconnaissance soil sampling and geological mapping programs are ongoing on the remainder of the MCCP in areas where Native Title is not determined.
Strikeline continues to consult with Aboriginal stakeholders regarding the ongoing exploration program and negotiations are advancing on an access agreement for exploration on the portions of the MCCP where Native Title has been determined.