Alderan Resources Ltd’s (ASX:AL8) induced polarisation (IP) geophysical survey has highlighted multiple copper and gold targets over the central portion of its Detroit project in the Drum Mountains region of western Utah, USA.
The survey strongly supports previously released ground magnetic results and enhances the potential of the area to host multiple gold and copper deposits.
Alderan has also consolidated the exploration area at Detroit covering 24.7 square kilometres through a series of option agreements with tenement owners.
Following the consolidation, the company has compiled past exploration data and completed stream sediment and rock sampling plus ground magnetics.
Highlights three additional targets
Managing director Scott Caithness said: “Alderan’s IP geophysics at Detroit strongly supports the earlier ground magnetics and rock sampling at the Basin Complex and has highlighted three additional IP targets.
“In particular, the results at the Basin Complex reinforce our view that the project has excellent potential for a buried copper, gold and molybdenum rich porphyry deposit due to its classic IP and magnetic signatures and associated geochemistry.
“All work done to date also suggests a potential for additional copper and gold deposits related to intrusive, structures and stratigraphy peripheral to the Basin Complex.
“Portable XRF analysis of soil samples is underway which will assist in defining and prioritising targets ahead of drill testing during the third quarter.”
Induced polarisation survey
An IP geophysical survey was completed over the central portion of the Detroit project area.
The objective was to identify electrically chargeable and conductive bodies potentially caused by copper and gold mineralisation and altered host rocks.
This survey was designed to cover the prospective area, including the Basin Complex and Copperhead prospects, identified from a ground magnetic survey completed in early May.
Detroit project
The Detroit project is one of four projects held by Alderan in the state of Utah, USA.
It lies within the Detroit Mining District, about 175 kilometres southwest of Salt Lake City, and contains numerous historical copper, gold and manganese mines.
This district has been explored for copper and gold in the past by major mining companies such as Anaconda Copper, Kennecott, Newmont, BHP and Freeport-McMoRan but no one company was able to build a significant contiguous land position to enable district-wide modern exploration.
Next steps
The company has completed grid soil sampling for every 50 metres along lines 200 metres over the prospective stratigraphy and intrusives at Detroit with sample preparation for analysis underway.
A total of 2,200 samples were collected and soil assays will assist in prioritising drill targets.
Assaying will initially be done using a portable XRF before samples are sent to a laboratory for final analysis.
The IP grid will be extended to the north and south to close off anomalies identified at Copperhead and Mizpah.
One additional line will be acquired to the north of existing coverage at Copperhead and two additional lines to the south will provide context to the Mizpah occurrence where anomalous chargeability appears to follow favourable stratigraphy, which is open to the south.
Alderan has locked in a diamond rig to start drilling in September.
Final hole locations will be determined following receipt of soil sample assays and integration of all geochemistry, geophysics and geology data.