Aeris Resources Ltd (ASX:AIS) has fielded high-grade copper-zinc hits from recent resource definition drilling at the Jaguar Operations in Western Australia.
High-grade intersections returned from the newly discovered Turbo massive sulphide lens and Java Deeps lens include:
- 36.8 metres at 2.24% copper, 8.22% zinc, 49 g/t silver and 0.73% gold from 316 metres;
- 20.8 metres at 2.19% copper. 4.69% zinc, 87 g/t silver and 0.70% gold from 313 metres; and
- 7.05 metres at 2.15% copper, 16.70% zinc, 228 g/t silver and 1.98 g/t gold from 349 metres.
Looking ahead, multiple sulphide lenses remain open down plunge and along strike and have the potential to extend the mineral resource at the Bentley deposit.
“Excellent potential”
Aeris executive chairman Andre Labuschagne said “When we acquired the Round Oak assets we were confident that the Jaguar Operations offer a lot of potential to add value, and this recent drilling demonstrates this.
“The recently discovered, high-grade Turbo lens has doubled in strike length and is still open down plunge.
“Turbo offers excellent potential to extend the life of the Bentley underground mine and will be a priority for further drilling in this financial year.
“An update of the Turbo mineral resource is expected this quarter.
“Also, a number of other lenses have been identified at depth but have had limited drilling.
“The latest drill results from Java Deeps show exciting, high-grade intersections that will be followed up with further exploration drilling.”
Bentley deposit
The Bentley deposit is made up of 35 discrete sulphide lenses, including 10 massive sulphide lenses: Arnage, Bentayga, Brooklands, High Precious Metals (HPM), Mulsanne, Comet, Flying Spur, Pegasus, Turbo and Zagato.
Since the discovery of the Bentley deposit, resource definition drilling has consistently increased the mineral resource base over time via the discovery of new sulphide lenses down plunge along strike from known lenses.
The ability to extend the mineral resource is governed by appropriate locations for underground drilling to target the interpreted extensions.
Forward plan
Aeris, an established producer, is planning further resource definition drilling at Turbo in 2023 to continue extending the mineralised footprint.
At Java Deep, a development drive is underway to enable further drilling from a dedicated drill platform to facilitate targeting extensions to known sulphide lenses.
The drill drive is expected to be completed in the first half of 2023.
Furthermore, an updated mineral resource estimate for the Turbo deposit is scheduled for completion during the March quarter of 2023.