Hannan Metals Limited (CVE:HAN) (OTCPINK:HANNF) (FRA:C8MQ) has started work on a new LiDAR survey over 64,500 hectares of its San Martin copper-silver project in Peru.
The large-scale 2,782-line kilometre survey is the first in Peru to use LiDAR for geological mapping, fieldwork targeting, and drilling and logistics planning, according to Hannan.
The junior exploration company is hoping that the survey will map the geology and structure to define mineralization and offer a more detailed topographic ground model that will map important outcrops and drill collar locations.
READ: Hannan Metals updates on exploration in Peru, including early-stage copper-silver discovery at Ochique prospect
LiDAR essentially removes the barrier of dense jungle, allowing enhanced ground detail to be observed for the first time.
San Martin is a joint venture between Vancouver-based Hannan and JOGMEC (Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation). Under the agreement, JOGMEC has the option to earn up to a 75% beneficial interest in the San Martin Project by spending up to US$35,000,000 to deliver to the joint venture (JV) a feasibility study. Hannan will manage exploration at least until JOGMEC earns a 51% interest and, in the interim, will focus exploration activities on the collection of the geological, geophysical, and geochemical datasets in the JV project areas.
"Up to now, LiDAR has been used primarily for mapping vegetation canopy and for topographic controls. Sensor technology and ability to process and interpret the vast cloud point datasets means that the technology can now be applied to mineral exploration in these highly vegetated and challenging terrains for the first time,” Hannan CEO Michael Hudson said in a statement.
“This is truly a gamechanger for exploration in these areas and Hannan, along with HSA, is pleased to be leading the application of this technology in Peru.”
Hudson added that the firm’s exploration teams will be able to “map the geology and structure, by machine learning, in extreme detail and allow highly targeted field work to enhance the efficiency of our exploration efforts over San Martin.”
Hannan is one of the largest exploration companies in Peru. The firm also has mineral properties in Europe.
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