C29 Metals Ltd (ASX:C29) has recently completed an airborne electromagnetic survey over its Sampsons Tank copper exploration project in New South Wales.
The survey has helped C29 identify three bedrock conductors.
The company has also carried out soil geochemical sampling to expand coverage around existing soil anomalies.
The infill and extensional soil geochemical survey is designed to strengthen the Mustang and Corsair prospects, with the coincident VTEM conductor and copper in soil anomalism at Corsair now a priority target for drilling.
C29 is targeting deformed, remobilised, high-grade Besshi-type volcanic associated massive sulphides.
Executive director Mark Major said of the targets: “It’s been an encouraging start to the exploration program at Sampsons Tank Copper-Gold Project. The VTEM survey was able to identify three coherent bedrock conductors. Corsair, with a VTEM conductor and coincident copper in soil anomalism, is a priority target and warrants drill testing.
“Additionally, the other two VTEM conductors are located in areas unexplored by modern techniques. These areas will be the focus of future exploration efforts. The results of both the geochemical and geophysical surveys validate the exploration model and techniques deployed by the C29 exploration team and I congratulate their success.”
Confidence in exploration methods
C29 has gained confidence in the exploration model and methods being used at Sampson Tank to defined VAMS mineralisation.
The airborne survey was flown by UTS Geophysics and comprised a versatile time domain electromagnetic (VTEM Max) survey and an aeromagnetic survey.
Full coverage of the exploration licence was achieved with 521 line-kilometres flown over two days. The electromagnetic response was affected by conductive clay horizons at or near surface, however three bedrock conductors of note have been identified: one coincident with an elevated soil anomalism and two new exploration targets.
Map of VTEM survey showing flight lines and interpreted bedrock anomaly.
The coincident VTEM A conductor is situated immediately adjacent to the existing ‘Corsair’ prospect – C29’s highest priority exploration target at Sampson’s Tank.
Anomalous copper in soil overlies a magnetic anomaly at Corsair and the addition of an electromagnetic conductor means a very interesting exploration story is emerging here. The company is planning to drill this prospect but may investigate further geophysical methods to assist with targeting.
The soil geochemical sampling comprised almost 700 samples which were collected from the northern sector of the exploration licence, designed to infill and expand the existing soil grid over the ‘Corsair’ and ‘Mustang’ prospects.
Modest copper anomalism (up to 32 parts per million) was noted in several samples close to these existing prospects.
What's next
C29 will update the market as it prioritises the new targets for RC drilling as early as this summer.
The company is evaluating its options to move forward at Sampsons Tank, including ground geophysics to further refine drill targeting at Mustang and Corsair.
It feels there is potential for success with ground-based electromagnetic or induced polarisation methods.
C29's goal is to drill-test both targets with a program of RC drilling during the summer window when the land is not under crop.