Great Western Exploration (ASX:GTE) has begun drill testing three previously identified targets at its Fairbairn Copper Project that the company believes show strong similarities to Sandfire Resources’ (ASX:SFR) large DeGrussa Mine.
The Fairbairn Project is a volcanic-hosted massive sulphide (VHMS) target located 900km north-east of Perth and 120km from DeGrussa. VHMS deposits typically form in clusters.
DeGrussa was discovered in 2009 and brought into production three years later. It operated for over 10 years supplying ore to a 1.6-million-tonne-per-annum processing plant to produce around 300,000 tonnes of copper concentrate.
This style of deposit has not been tested in the Earaheedy Basin before, CEO Shane Pike told Mining.com.au earlier in May.
The phase-one drilling program will test the targets down to 350m and aim for the centre and upper parts of the conductors, which Great Western says are the most prospective positions.
The three targets were identified by a fixed-loop electromagnetic (FLEM) ground survey and a heliborne electromagnetic survey.
The FLEM survey identified three isolated and discrete bedrock conductors, modelled to be between 80m and 190m deep, which Great Western interpreted to be related to sulphide mineralisation.
Great Western has a market capitalisation of just under $20 million and a portfolio of copper, gold, nickel and potash projects in Western Australia.
Write to Angela East at Mining.com.au
Images: Great Western Exploration
