Somerset Minerals (ASX:SMM) reports ‘high-grade’ copper results from surface rock chip sampling across five prospects at its Coppermine Project in Canada.
The company collected 86 rock chip samples, with 47 samples returning grades above 1% copper (Cu) and 19 samples yielding over 10% Cu.
The Skye prospect delivered maiden rock chip results of 46.3% Cu and 25.1g/t silver (Ag) from sandstone-hosted massive bornite with minor chalcopyrite, potentially representing a new style of mineralisation compared to the basalt-hosted fault systems seen elsewhere.
Somerset also notes significant intercepts at its other prospects.
At Talisker, Somerset’s highest-priority target, 37 of 75 samples returned grades above 1% Cu, confirming mineralisation over more than 12km of strike within the 17km corridor. Notable assays include 36.4% Cu and 214g/t Ag, 25.8% Cu and 191g/t Ag, and 22.7% Cu and 45.5g/t Ag.
At Jons Pit, located at the southern end of the Talisker corridor, five of six samples returned grades above 1% Cu, up to 19.9% Cu and 13.4g/t Ag from flow-top replacement mineralisation in a historic blast pit.
First-pass sampling at Danvers North and Danvers South returned up to 3.3% Cu and 5.5% Cu with 1.8g/t Ag, respectively. Silver credits were consistent, with 17 samples exceeding 30g/t Ag.
Managing Director Chris Hansen says the results support what the field team has observed at surface.
“To return grades of up to 36.4% Cu and 214g/t Ag at Talisker, across a corridor that has never been drill-tested until now, underscores the prospectivity of the region, and validates the multidisciplinary targeting approach that brought us here,” Hansen says.
“Just as significant is Skye, where our first-ever rock chip samples from this priority-one target include 46.3% Cu as massive bornite.
“Skye is a highly convincing new target which has opened up a new search space within our licence area.”
Somerset’s maiden reverse circulation drilling program at Talisker is well advanced, with 1,900m completed across 12 drill holes. The company notes initial assay results are expected within two weeks.
The Coppermine Project comprises 102 exploration licences and one exclusive exploration right covering 1,665km² in Nunavut’s Kitikmeot region, located 4km from White Cliff Minerals‘ (ASX:WCN) Danvers copper deposit.
Somerset Minerals is a copper explorer focused on its flagship Coppermine Project in Nunavut, Canada, with other assets in southeast Ecuador.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: Mining.com.au
