KGL Resources Ltd (ASX:KGL) has recapped its 2021 exploration program and results from the Jervois Copper Project in the Northern Territory.
The explorer carried out a comprehensive work program last year, including a substantial induced polarisation (IP)-resistivity survey at the J-Fold target.
Ten holes were drilled to follow up the copper asset’s IP anomalies and support a series of down-hole electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys at the project.
KGL also hit a milestone with the Cox South discovery in 2021, encountering 2.53 metres at 1.92% copper and 14.7 g/t silver from 523 metres.
All in all, the work program has pinpointed several highly prospective exploration targets that KGL intends to follow up in 2022.
Exploration approach “bearing fruit”
Recapping the 2021 program, KGL managing director Simon Finnis said: “Mineral exploration is generally understood to be a high-risk endeavour, holding the promise of even higher rewards.
“KGL’s systematic application of modern geophysical techniques, such as MIMDAS IP and DHEM, this year has resulted in the discovery of 500 metres of deep blind copper mineralisation at Cox’s Find South.
“This is technical success with potential to translate into a commercial success.
“The three-stage approach with IP first to identify broad targets, followed by drilling to test for mineralisation and to provide sites for DHEM surveys to assess for conductors, is proven at Jervois.
“While we see different responses in different areas, this approach is bearing fruit and continues to be our favoured geophysical technique.
“It is the company’s intention to continue exploration to evaluate the Cox’s Find South discovery, as well as explore the prospective IP targets both north and south of Reward, with the aims of increasing copper metal inventories, increasing mine life and building shareholder value.”
Exploring Jervois’ copper potential
KGL completed its exploration program in 2021 over three defined phases:
IP program
From June to September last year, KGL undertook a large MIMDAS induced polarisation-resistivity survey, aimed at filling in gaps and improving data over the predominant geological feature at Jervois – the J-Fold.
Exploration drilling
During 2021, KGL drilled 10 holes at Jervois, totalling 4,769.1 metres, to test anomalies identified during the 2021 IP program, as well as additional targets that required follow up drilling.
All the hole locations and prospect names are displayed below:
DHEM surveys
KGL surveyed 16 drill holes using DHEM in 2021, and previously where access was available.
The program included two surveys at Rockface after the explorer encountered massive sulphides in the Rockface North lens at depth.
This staged methodology has been used previously at Jervois, most notably in the exploration and definition of the Rockface deposit.
Each deposit so far discovered displays differing responses to the various geophysical techniques and needs continual review and remodelling to identify locations for targeted drilling.
Jervois’ prospects
Cox’s Find South
Four holes were drilled and subsequently surveyed by DHEM near Cox’s Find.
Consequently, a substantial exploration target was defined at the prospect and was reported to the ASX in late December.
One hole was drilled into a large IP anomaly and intersected chalcopyrite, pyrite and bornite mineralisation, which assayed the 2.53-metre copper-silver hit.
Meanwhile, DHEM results from the hole showed a large, low conductance target correlated with the copper mineralisation at this depth.
Notably, the Cox’s Find South target lies in close proximity to the planned underground mine at Rockface.
Reward South Silver
At this prospect, one hole was extended and, along with two other nearby holes, it was surveyed by DHEM techniques.
Promisingly, modelling and analysis following the survey defined strong conductors associated with intense silver and polymetallic base metal sulphide mineralisation in two holes.
The electromagnetic modelling indicates that the mineralisation may extend further up-dip.
Previously reported intersections at Reward South Silver include:
- 285 g/t silver, 0.36 g/t gold, 0.98% copper, 1.35% lead and 0.74% zinc over 30.98 metres of estimated true width (ETW) from 242.23 metres, including 612 g/t silver, 0.82 g/t gold, 1.88% copper 3.69% lead and 0.64% zinc over 10.26 metres ETW from 270.17 metres; and
- 731 g/t silver, 0.43 g/t gold, 0.99% copper, 7.20% lead and 5.01% zinc over 27.31 metres ETW from 223.79 metres, including 2,683 g/t silver, 1.30 g/t gold, 3.91% copper, 17.99% lead and 3.73% zinc over 3.36 metres ETW from 256.85 metres.
Reward North
In this area, IP surveillance has defined a linear anomaly extending more than 2 kilometres north of the Reward deposit.
So far, the sparse drilling in this area has all been too shallow to test the IP anomalies, but this IP target is considered highly prospective.
Reward South
South of Reward, KGL reports the IP response is very deep and, consequently, the strength of the anomaly is attenuated.
This deep target has never been drilled, but deeper intersections in the south end of Reward in one drill hole lend encouragement to the prospectivity of this target, most notably where 3.31% copper and 13.7 g/t silver over 3.65 metres ETW from 495.13 metres was encountered.
Bellbird South
At Bellbird South, four exploration holes including two deep holes were drilled, targeting the Orion and MIMDAS (2001) IP anomalies.
Zones of disseminated pyrite and occasional chalcopyrite intersected in the drilling are considered sufficient to explain the IP responses.
The four holes were surveyed by DHEM, but no significant conductors were detected.
As a result, the findings from this work program downgrades the ranking of the Bellbird South target.