Tempus Resources Ltd (ASX:TMR, TSX-V:TMRR) has reconfirmed the presence of copper and gold mineralisation during a second phase soil geochemistry sampling program at the Valle del Tigre (VdT) Project in south-eastern Ecuador.
The Phase 2 exploration included a Mobile Metals Ion (MMI) geochemistry soil sampling survey over an area of about 5 square kilometres which highlighted two zones of anomalous gold and copper.
This program was a larger-scale follow-up to the initial reconnaissance work conducted in February 2021 in which areas with anomalous gold and copper were discovered.
The anomalous copper and gold results correlate with the 3-kilometre geophysical anomaly footprint of the target mineralisation zone identified in a previous ZTEM flyover survey which will be the target for further exploration work.
Moving forward, Tempus is completing further analysis and review of the geochemical and geophysical results with regard to the next steps towards refining target locations for a future drill program.
“Strongly anomalous areas”
Tempus president and CEO Jason Bahnsen said: “The results of our Phase 2 exploration program at Valle del Tigre highlight the potential of the project for both copper and gold mineralisation.
“The MMI soil geochemistry results have identified two strongly anomalous areas within the overall 3-kilometre geophysical footprint that we will target for further exploration work.
“The VdT project is centrally located in a major copper porphyry mineralisation trend that hosts several major copper deposits.”
Phase 2 exploration program
Tempus’ Phase two exploration program includes MMI, rock and stream sediment sampling.
In total, 505 MMI soil samples were collected, together with 53 rock samples and 48 stream sediment samples.
The Phase 2, MMI soil, rock and stream sediment sample results have identified two anomalous areas that display good coincidence for copper, gold, molybdenum and bismuth.
Copper-bearing minerals, chalcopyrite and bornite are observed within the survey area, as well as the presence of sericite and potassic alteration.
Valle del Tigre potential
Valle del Tigre (VDT) is centrally located in a newly emerging copper porphyry belt that includes the El Hito and Santa Barbara deposits to the south (Lumina Gold) and Mirador, Panantza and Warintza deposits to the northeast
There are strong geological similarities between VdT and Warintza and Mirador with the Hollin Formation unconformably overlying the Misahualli Formation which is underlain by the older Zamora Batholith.
Copper mineralisation in the northern part of the copper district is associated with a younger intrusive phase of the Zamora Batholith which has been dated as upper Jurassic in age.
Valle del Tigre location.