Raptor Metals (ASX:RAP) is preparing to drill approximately 2,800m across two prospects at its Coyote Project in New Brunswick, Canada, during the final months of 2026.
The maiden Coyote diamond drilling campaign will test the Silverjack and Turgeon prospects within Raptor’s expanded position in the Bathurst Mining Camp.
Around 800m of drilling is scheduled to begin at Silverjack in mid-October, followed by laboratory assaying and downhole electromagnetic surveying.
Raptor says the program is designed to verify historical results and provide modern geological and geochemical data for future targeting.
Historical results include a 17-tonne sample grading 10.2% copper (Cu) and 1,447 grams per tonne silver (Ag), and a 6.5-tonne sample grading 4.8% Cu and 1,110g/t Ag.
Rock-chip and trench sampling also returned grades of up to 11.3% Cu, 572g/t Ag, and 8.22% zinc (Zn).
These results were reported by a previous owner, have not been disclosed in accordance with the JORC Code 2012, and have not been independently verified by Raptor’s competent person.
A larger 2,000m drilling program is scheduled to begin at Turgeon in November, alongside assaying and metallurgical test work.
Historical intersections include 15m @ 3.53% Cu, 8.7m @ 4.08% Cu, and 12.49m @ 5.69% Cu.
Managing Director Brett Wallace says the Turgeon work will build on extensive historical drilling.
“Silverjack provides an opportunity to test and validate a historically high-grade copper-silver system, while the larger Turgeon program is designed to build on the extensive historical drilling and advance our understanding of its potential to support a maiden JORC mineral resource,” Wallace says.
Further geological, analytical, and metallurgical work is required to assess whether Turgeon can support a maiden mineral resource estimate (MRE) prepared in accordance with the JORC Code 2012.
Raptor says it will also begin cutting and sampling around 1,000m of historical core from 20 shallow holes at its Chester Copper Project in September. The results will support further geological modelling and a potential MRE upgrade.
Geological mapping and a review of the historical core at the Arunta Project in the Northern Territory are scheduled to begin on 23 August. The company also notes review will inform decisions on further exploration, partnerships, or a possible divestment.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
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