Emmerson Resources Ltd (ASX:ERM) has intersected visible copper during follow-up drilling at the Hermitage Project in Tennant Creek, Northern Territory.
The 38-metre interval of new mineralisation consists of malachite, native copper, chalcopyrite and possible bornite in drill hole HERCDD005, hosted in brecciated hematite-quartz-jasper.
Visible native copper found in diamond drill core from HERCDD005.
The company has also discovered a 57-metre interval of mineralisation consisting of native copper, malachite and chalcopyrite in HERCDD006 from 127 metres, hosted in brecciated hematite-quartz-jasper ironstone, with intermittent intervals of chlorite-hematite and vuggy hematite.
Plans abandoned to deepen hole
The company has abandoned plans to deepen its reverse circulation (RC) drill hole HERC003 after it encountered broken ground and poor core recovery, likely corresponding to a major fault.
Prior to entering the fault, the drill hole intersected a further half-metre of massive hematite-magnetite ironstone with chalcopyrite blebs.
The drill campaign continues and first assay results are expected in late June 2022.
"Build on understanding"
Emmerson managing director Rob Bills said: “These first few drill holes build on our understanding of the Hermitage mineralisation and visually confirm the very high-grade nature of the copper mineralisation.
“HERCDD005 intersected an entirely new zone of malachite, chalcopyrite and possible bornite mineralisation, that is relatively shallow and some 40 metres outside of the central ironstone."
Assay results will complete picture
Bills said: “We look forward to the assay results, particularly for the gold and cobalt which because of their small grainsize cannot be visually seen or estimated.
“Several post mineral faults were encountered and are common in many of the deposits across the Tennant Creek Mineral Field.
“These faults are likely late thrust faults as seen at the nearby North Star and Jasper Hills projects (Higgins and Granger Faults), and where they have relatively small displacements. It is anticipated that with further drilling the offset portion of the ironstone will be intersected in future drill holes.”
Visual native copper mineralisation within ironstone has been extended in the second phase of drilling.
First assay results from Hermitage are expected in late June 2022.
About Hermitage
Hermitage is one of a cluster of prospects that occurs within the northern corridor at Tennant Creek.
These prospects of North Star, Jasper Hills, Katherine Star and Northern Star in mining lease 30177 and Edna Beryl, Thrace and Macedon in mining lease 705 are 100% Emmerson owned tenements.
Not only has this area seen little modern exploration but some of the areas have restricted access.