Solis Minerals (ASX: SLM) has reported on the potential for an ‘extensive’ copper mento system following the receipt of assay results from phase one diamond drilling at its Mostazal Copper Project in northern Chile.
The results, generated from the program’s first two holes, display ‘broadly anomalous’ copper mineralisation as well as a 4m interval grading 1.06% copper.
Speaking on the results, Solis Minerals CEO Jason Cubitt said: “This first phase of drilling was primarily designed to test the type of mineralisation, as well as the preliminary lateral and vertical extent of copper mineralisation at Mostazal. The first two holes encountered “mantos” style disseminated sulphides, extending from surface to the end of the hole at a depth of 362m in hole 1, and from surface to at least 444m in hole 2.
“Our geological interpretation indicates that the copper observed at surface, and in artisanal workings over a ten square kilometre area, is an expression of a potentially much larger copper-bearing mineralised system at depth”
Our geological interpretation indicates that the copper observed at surface, and in artisanal workings over a ten square kilometre area, is an expression of a potentially much larger copper-bearing mineralised system at depth. Analysis of the drill data, together with geological mapping, has identified several faults that crosscut and terminate mineralisation and others that control the emplacement of mineralisation. More field work is in progress to analyse these structural controls on the emplacement of mineralisation and vector in on the interpreted high-grade source of copper.”
Mostazal is located in Chile’s Atacama Desert with Solis Minerals owning a 100% option over the project.
It sits within the 500km-long north-south trending Domeyko Fault System, which is the major structural control of a number of Chile’s largest copper operations including Escondido, Chuquicamata and El Salvador
Recent pilot production at the project was reported at 120,000 tons @ 1.8% Cu by a previous operator.
With diamond drilling at Mostazal ongoing, the company reports that it is moving forward with detailed surface structural mapping and a deeper-penetrating geophysical survey with plans underway for the next phase of scheduled drilling.
Images: Solis Minerals Ltd.
