Aeris Resources Ltd (ASX:AIS) is progressing construction at the Avoca Tank underground mine based on the current mineral resource, with production due to commence in Q4 of FY23.
Avoca Tank is a high-grade (+2%) copper deposit within the company’s 100% owned Tritton tenement package in New South Wales.
Aeris is also advancing an exploration drill program targeting extensions to copper mineralisation below the existing resource footprint.
Massive to semi-massive sulphide lens intersected
Drilling at the Avoca Tank deposit has to date traced the mineralised system 350 metres down-plunge and remains open down-plunge.
Little exploration work has been undertaken at Avoca Tank since the completion of a resource definition drilling program between 2012 and 2013, leading to the current mineral resource.
Diamond drill hole TATD046 was recently completed and was designed to test the down-plunge potential of the Avoca Tank mineralised system beneath the current resource.
TATD046 intersected three sulphide horizons.
The most significant intersection is a 2.2m thick massive to semi-massive sulphide lens from 514.5 metres downhole.
Visible sulphides include pyrite with lesser chalcopyrite (assays pending).
The sulphide intersection is interpreted to be the down-plunge extension to the copper sulphide lenses included within the current resource.
Oblique view looking west showing drill hole pierce points through the Avoca Tank Mineral Resource. The massive sulphide intersection from TATD046 is shown by the black circle (assays pending).
Aeris executive chairman Andre Labuschagne said: “We are currently constructing the Avoca Tank underground mine, with production due to commence in Q4 of FY23.
“Avoca Tank is a high-grade (+2%) copper deposit and this drill program is designed to test for potential down-plunge extensions.”
“Intersecting massive sulphides 75m below the current Avoca Tank Mineral Resource is a fantastic outcome.
“A down-hole EM survey was also completed and has detected a large bedrock conductor, most of which remains untested.”
“We believe there is significant scope to increase the Avoca Tank Mineral Resource with further drilling, which will commence in FY23 after underground access development has been completed."
Downhole electromagnetic surveying
A downhole electromagnetic (DHEM) survey has been completed on drill hole TATD046.
The survey detected a large (~75 metres x 150 metres) moderate strength conductive plate associated with the massive sulphide intersection from 514.5 metres downhole.
The conductive plate is located immediately along strike from the sulphide intersection.
Moving forward
Copper mineralisation at the Avoca Tank deposit has now been traced 75 metres down plunge from the current resource base (total down plunge length 420 metres).
Although no further drilling is planned in the current financial year, the modelled DHEM plate has provided clear drill targets to test, along strike and below drill hole TAKD046.
Further drilling will commence in FY23 after underground access development has been completed.