Alma Metals (ASX:ALM) has started a 3,000m core drilling program to evaluate exploration targets and resource extensions at the Briggs porphyry copper deposit, located near Gladstone in Queensland.
The project includes the Briggs Central copper deposit where an inferred resource of 143Mt @ 0.29% Cu has been defined, and the drilling program forms part of the stage one earn-in at Briggs, Mannersley and Fig Tree Hill joint venture with Canterbury Resources (ASX:CBY), with Alma being able to earn up to 70% interest in the project.
The company states soil sampling on a nominal 100m by 50m grid over the Briggs porphyry copper system shows anomalous copper greater than 0.1% over 3 areas.
Geological mapping and limited drilling confirms that each of these 3 anomalies define outcropping mineralised intrusions and adjacent volcanic sediments containing copper bearing quartz stockworks, and the central area also contains the Briggs Central Inferred Resource.
Alma reports exploration targets have been defined for the 3 areas, and 6 diamond drill holes for a total of 3,000m are planned, with four aiming to extend the existing resource and evaluate the exploration target at Briggs Central.
The 2 remaining holes will evaluate the exploration target at the Northern Porphyry.
Alma also states a new EPM application (Don River EPM28588) covering 2 blocks has been added to the joint venture area, expanding to the west of the Briggs deposit.
The Briggs, Mannersley and Fig Tree Porphyry Copper Project comprises 3 exploration permits covering an area of around 241km-square approximately 50km west of Gladstone, Queensland.
Alma Metals is an Australian copper exploration company with assets including the Briggs, Mannersley and Fig Tree Hill Copper Project in Queensland, the East Kimberley Copper Project in Western Australia and the South West Terrane Copper-Gold Project in Western Australia.
Images: Alma Metals Ltd
