KGL Resources Ltd (ASX:KGL) has discovered a new copper exploration target at the Jervois Project through the recent application of induced polarisation (IP) and down-hole electromagnetics (DHEM) geophysical techniques.
Assay results from the discovery hole, KJCD482, on the Jervois J-Fold, between Rockface and Reward resources, confirm the discovery.
Follow-up drilling and DHEM have been planned for 2022.
Devise drilling plan
KGL managing director Simon Finnis said: “Our exploration efforts are beginning to generate results even though we are only in the early stages, due to the necessity to engage the drill rigs for resource building throughout most of 2021.
“We are excited that the first drill hole into this target has intersected chalcopyrite and bornite mineralisation of potentially economic grade, and just as importantly, the DHEM has revealed an exploration target of significant dimensions.
“The IP survey completed last year will inform our exploration program in 2022 but the Cox’s South IP anomaly represented low-hanging fruit to drill and carry out DHEM in 2021.
“We are all greatly anticipating the follow-up hole to further test the exploration target, which is scheduled to be drilled early in 2022.
“This new hole will be preserved for early 2022 DHEM surveying, which should further tighten the modelling of the conductor targets.
“Follow-up DHEM surveys of the most recent Rockface holes at depth are also planned for early 2022.
“From a development point of view, Cox’s South is in close proximity to the planned Rockface underground mine with the south-western edge of the conductor model less than 50 metres from the Rockface stopes.
“Obviously, it is early days yet, but the potential synergies are clear.
“In the coming weeks, we will devise a drilling plan focusing on near-term resource growth, with the clear aim to extend the mine life.
“We will also prepare a synthesis of the updated geophysical results and models and finalise the broader scope of exploration drilling strategy for 2022.
“The market will be informed of these plans once completed.”
Vindicates exploration approach
Consulting geophysicist Kate Hine added: “The discovery of the Cox’s South exploration target vindicates the exploration approach adopted by KGL, which is an iterative process involving conceptual geological thought, IP geophysics, drilling, DHEM, geophysical modelling and interpretation.
“Whilst the Cox’s South DHEM anomaly, so far mapped, is not a strong conductor, it is in keeping with the mineralisation style observed in the hole KJCD482.
“It must be noted that much of the Bellbird and Reward deposits are also only weakly conductive.
“Rockface is the exception in being a strong conductor. To maximise the effectiveness of the DHEM surveys, a coil probe detector was employed which is more sensitive to weaker conductors.”
Exploration target
Based on the dimensions of the DHEM Model, a conceptual exploration target is postulated to be in the order of 2 to 3 million tonnes at 1.5 to 2.3% copper.
The presence of bornite and the large dimensions of the DHEM conductor and its proximity to Rockface make this an attractive exploration target.
It is proposed to test the Cox’s South DHEM conductor with a follow-up hole, about 220 metres southwest of KJCD482, where the IP response is at its highest strength.
This hole is scheduled for early 2022 and will be preserved for further DHEM, which is also scheduled for early 2022.
Further drilling on this target is contingent on the result of the proposed hole and the DHEM survey.
The potential quantity and grade of the exploration target is conceptual in nature, given that there has been insufficient exploration to estimate a mineral resource and that it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the estimation of a resource.