Anax Metals (ASX:ANX) has commenced an 18-hole, 5,000m phase one diamond drilling program at the Mons Cupri copper-zinc deposit within the Whim Creek Project in Western Australia.
The program focuses on extensions of known mineralisation at depth and is being conducted under the oversight of geologist and recently appointed director Nick Jolly.
Anax says the campaign marks the start of systematic exploration targeting both resource growth and new volcanic-hosted massive sulphide (VHMS) discoveries across the project, with Whim Creek remaining a largely unexplored VHMS camp.
Managing Director Geoff Laing says the company’s ability to systematically explore has been constrained in recent years by its focus on a restart of mining activities.
He adds that this program is the first step to unlocking the broader exploration potential of Whim Creek.
“While this initial drilling program is focused on extending the known mineralisation and growing the Mons Cupri mineral resource, we believe Whim Creek has the potential to deliver additional VHMS discoveries through systematic exploration of the broader project area,” Laing says.
The Mons Cupri ore reserve stands at 2.55 million tonnes at 1.09% copper and 1.29% zinc, representing 55% of the total proven and probable ore reserves.
It is expected to provide primary feed for the planned 400,000 tonnes per annum concentrator during the initial years of operation.
Historical drilling at Mons Cupri has returned intercepts including 80m at 1.95% copper (Cu) from 78m, 63m at 1.91% Cu from 48m, and 53m at 1.73% Cu from 40m. These confirm the volume and metal potential of a single mineralised body across multiple holes.
Anax has engaged Newexco Exploration Services to review historical geophysical datasets and support downhole electromagnetics activities.
Following its recent capital raise, the company confirms all preparations are complete for the start of drilling, with the exploration team already mobilised and permitting and earthworks finalised.
TopDrill is scheduled to commence drilling in mid-July.
Anax holds an 80% interest in the Whim Creek Project, which is located in the Pilbara region of WA. It is the only fully permitted, development-ready base metals project in the western Pilbara capable of treating both oxide and sulphide ores.
Anax Metals is an explorer and developer focused on copper, zinc, and gold projects in WA.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: Anax Metals
