Aeris Resources Ltd (ASX:AIS) continues to be encouraged by the copper exploration progress by Helix Resources Ltd at the Canbelego JV Project in western NSW where an expansive diamond drilling program is underway.
Helix’s drilling campaign at the Canbelego Main Lode project is designed to definitively test the down-plunge continuity of high-grade copper shoots by ‘stepping out’ 200 metres below the current deepest copper intersections.
Second diamond rig
Helix, which holds 70% of the project and is the operator with Aeris holding the remainder, has mobilised a second diamond rig to the site to accelerate the testing and has kicked off drilling at CANDD016, to a planned depth of 660 metres due to be completed in early December.
The two ‘parent’ diamond drill holes will not only target the mineralised zones but provide important platforms to significantly increase the downhole electromagnetic (DHEM) coverage.
These deep holes will provide definitive tests on the down-plunge extensions of new high-grade copper shoots and enable rapid follow-up evaluation through ‘wedging-off’ daughter holes
Moving forward, new assays and DHEM data were received for the West Lode – CBW2 position which indicates the potential of a Canbelego Main Lode ‘look-alike’ – certainly requiring further follow-up work.
High-grade shoots
Commenting on the ongoing drilling campaign, Helix managing director Mike Rosenstreich said: “The Canbelego Main Lode is an advanced exploration project where high-grade copper shoots have already been intersected and it is very exciting to now have two diamond drill rigs on hand to test the continuity over such a significant vertical extent.
“This is ‘high-impact’ exploration for our shareholders, and we will be well positioned to rapidly follow up on positive results with these deep drill platforms.
“It’s a credit to the exploration team that we have increased our drill capacity when many companies in the region have been forced to abandon drill programs due to the very wet weather and ground conditions.
“We have also lost drill shifts and had to curtail many regional exploration activities, so to be able to now accelerate work on our most advanced project is very pleasing and gives our shareholders some very exciting news flow over the coming weeks.
“However, I would also like to acknowledge the tough circumstances which the local community has been facing from drought to now excessive rain affecting harvest yields and viability – our thoughts s are certainly with them.”
West Lodes and Caballero
Helix has been drill testing two newly defined, parallel lode positions to the west of the Canbelego Main Lode, termed CBW1 and CBW2.
Encouraging anomalous shallow copper zone intersected in CBW2 Lode at 17 metres at 0.76% copper from 55 metres including 3 metres at 2.25% copper from 60 metres.
CBW2 also has associated downhole electromagnetic conductor in this area – suggesting CBW2 could be a ‘Main Lode’ look-alike
Meanwhile at Cabellero, a newly identified 600-metre zone of untested strike potential between anomalous copper in hole CBLRC050 of 4 metres at 0.52% copper from 114 metres, including 1 metre at 1.15% copper and previous drill intersections.
Aeris is following progress at the Canbelego JV owing to the project being in the same region of NSW that hosts its Tritton Copper Operations.