Future Metals (ASX:FME) has defined a maiden copper-nickel-gold exploration target at its Eileen Bore Main prospect within its Alice Downs Corridor (ADC) tenements in Western Australia’s East Kimberley region.
The target comprises 12–15 million tonnes (Mt) grading 0.35–0.45% copper (Cu), 0.15–0.22% nickel (Ni), and 0.10–0.15 grams per tonne gold (Au), equivalent to 0.62–0.86% copper equivalent (CuEq). It represents about 74,900–128,300 tonnes of contained CuEq metal.
The target is supported by an indicative 4.60Mt of modelled mineralisation within the drill-tested area, grading 0.43% Cu, 0.20% Ni, and 0.14g/t Au. The potential quantity and grade are conceptual, and there has been insufficient exploration to estimate a mineral resource.
“This result adds meaningful copper, nickel, and gold exposure to the company’s exploration portfolio and highlights the broader potential of the Alice Downs Corridor,” Managing Director Keith Bowes says.
Historical drilling at Eileen Bore totals more than 60 holes and 5,761m, confirming wide zones of near-surface copper-nickel-platinum group metal (PGM) mineralisation over about 300m of strike.
Notable intervals include 120m grading 0.73% Cu, 0.29% Ni, and 0.86g/t PGM from surface in hole EBRC010.
Future Metals completed four diamond holes totalling 1,195m in 2024. Hole EBDD002 returned 30m grading 1.06% Cu, 0.45% Ni, and 1.14g/t PGM from 88.9m.
Three-dimensional modelling integrating historical and recent drilling, lithogeochemical studies, and a 2024 ground gravity survey defined the interpreted prospective ultramafic intrusion.
The target geometry extends over about 500m of strike, 130m in plan width, and 166m down-dip.
The company plans reverse circulation step-out and down-dip drilling in 2027, with step-out holes about 100m north and south of current drilling limits. It also plans an integrated review of the broader 18km ADC to refine existing targets.
“Our primary focus remains on advancing the Panton PGM Project towards development,” Bowes adds.
Eileen Bore lies within the same structural setting that hosts the Copernicus nickel-copper deposit. It is considered a geological analogue to the Savannah, Succoth, and Nova-Bollinger deposits in Western Australia.
Future Metals is an Australian explorer holding a 100% interest in the Panton PGM-Ni-Cr Project across three granted mining licences in Western Australia.
Write to JC Villarba at Mining.com.au
Images: Future Metals
