R3D Resources (ASX:R3D) reports it has received ‘significant’ downhole intercepts following a reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at its flagship Tartana Copper and Zinc Project in north Queensland.
The ‘significant’ copper-gold (Cu-Au) explorer says these results, generated by a recent RC drilling program which targeted northern oxide mineralisation, have returned ‘significant’ downhole intercepts of primary copper mineralisation below the project’s open pit.
Key intercepts include 77m @ 0.62% copper (Cu), as well as 12m @ 0.84% Cu, and 19m @ 0.62% Cu, which were intercepted in drilling conducted north of the open pit.
The company notes that the drilling program also included the drilling of 3 ‘resource’ holes below the open pit to enable the estimation of an inferred Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) to a depth of about 100m below the 10,827 copper tonne resource.
Commenting on the results, R3D Resources Managing Director Stephen Bartrop says: “The drilling results highlight the potential for a ‘significant’ primary copper resource below and to the north of the existing open pit with part of this potential to be realised in the updated primary copper resource estimation. Ore sorting technology may also play a part in supporting development opportunities.
“The drilling results highlight the potential for a ‘significant’ primary copper resource below and to the north of the existing open pit with part of this potential to be realised in the updated primary copper resource estimation”
Meanwhile the initial drill results from the northern oxide zone indicate potential for shallow copper oxide mineralisation that may be suitable for copper sulphate production and we await the pending assays.”
R3D Resources also notes that a separate intercept of 12m @ 0.35% Cu returned from surface leads to the belief that potential northern copper oxide zones exist at the tenement. Further assays are pending.
In addition, it is reported that the last remaining key plant refurbishment items are scheduled to arrive on site this week, which include a new control panel and new acid tanks. Commissioning of the new items is expected to commence later this month.
R3D Resources is an ASX-listed company that was incorporated in 2004 and is working towards completing its mission of becoming a ‘significant’ copper and zinc company through the development of its existing projects, acquisitions of new projects and exploration success.
The company’s flagship Tartana tenement is located about 150km west of the north Queensland city of Cairns and 40km northwest of the township of Chillagoe along the Burke Development Road.
With assays still pending, R3D Resources announces it will move forward with estimation of the primary open pit copper resource within the coming weeks to about 100m depth, as well as with the shallow northern oxide mineralisation.
Images: R3D Resources Ltd
