QMines Ltd (ASX:QML) has intersected new mineralisation outside its resource envelope at its 100%-owned flagship Mt Chalmers project, 17 kilometres northeast of Rockhampton in Queensland.
The Mt Chalmers project has an inferred resource of 3.9 million tonnes at 1.15% copper, 0.81 g/t gold and 8.4 g/t silver with total historic production of 1,244,618 tonnes at 2.0% copper, 3.6 g/t gold and 19 g/t silver mined between 1898 and 1982.
Promisingly, Mt Chalmers is a high-grade historic copper and gold mine which contains copper, gold, zinc, lead and silver mineralisation and is recognised as one of the highest-grade gold volcanic-hosted massive sulphide (VHMS) mineral systems in the world.
Visible chalcopyrite
QMines’ recent reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drilling programs included several holes outside the current resource envelope.
The drilling was designed to grow the resource and provide a better understanding of the geological interpretation of the Mt Chalmers ore body.
Notably, diamond holes outside the existing resource intersected visible chalcopyrite mineralisation in stringer zones.
The new diamond core will be dispatched to ALS Laboratories by the end of the week, with results to be reported when they become available.
Potential for additional systems
Recent soil sampling data digitised by Qmines indicates the potential for the discovery of additional preserved VHMS systems in the region that appears to have geochemical and lithological similarities to Mt Chalmers.
In addition, the company recently exchanged on two contracts to acquire 43 acres of land adjacent to the Mt Chalmers mine site where historical soil sampling display anomalous copper in soil results.
Promisingly, this will enable the company to expand exploration drilling to test these anomalies shortly.
Drilling strategy
Qmines has revised its drilling strategy to encompass RC and diamond drilling with the current programs delivering RC drilling for shallow holes, RC pre-collars and diamond tails in the deeper holes through the Mt Chalmers ore zones.
Drilling conditions experienced and the updated drilling method have enabled more cost-effective exploration, delivering better drilling efficiencies and outcomes.
Ground in and around the existing open pits is fractured and contains fill from the historical mining cycle.
Location of the Mt Chalmers Project, granted tenure, geology and related infrastructure.
Next steps
QMines aims to accelerate its ongoing 30,000-metre drill program with two rigs operating at Mt Chalmers.
The company is planning a 1,092-line kilometre Heli-EM survey scheduled to begin in the December quarter of 2021 to identify further drill targets.
In addition, expanded soil testing utilising Niton Portable PAS XRF to deliver real-time soil geochemical data for future drill targeting is planned.
Assays from the recent RC drilling are at ALS and are expected shortly with a resource upgrade scheduled to be released to the market in the December quarter of 2021.
- Ephrems Joseph