Thor Energy (ASX:THR) is gearing up for fresh drilling at its Alford East Copper-Rare Earth Element (REE) Project in South Australia after publishing a new 3D model for the project.
The uranium and energy metals explorer built the 3D model using data from a recently completed Ambient Noise Tomography (ANT) survey across the project area, flown by Fleet Space Technologies.
Thor, which has a $7 million market capitalisation, says the ANT survey results provided ‘valuable’ insights into the lithological and structure setting of the Alford East project.
Specifically, Thor says deeply weathered troughs in areas of unaltered metamorphic rocks were found to be associated with zones of faulting, deep oxidation, and intrusives at depth.
Further, Fleet’s ANT work confirmed the significance of a north-northeast-trending structure in the area associated with copper oxide mineralisation.
Thor Managing Director Nicole Galloway Warland says with the 3D model and ANT data, the company has a ‘newfound understanding’ of the structural setting and mineralisation controls at its South Australian project.
“This has provided the company with a refined targeted strategy, focusing future drilling on areas with potential high-grade oxide copper-gold and REE mineralisation.
The model also provides greater insight into historical, negative drill results that led to major explorers leaving the area.”
Alongside its planned upcoming drilling work, Thor says it plans to begin pump testing for in-situ recovery (ISR) assessment push-pull work as it continues quarterly groundwater testing at the project.
Thor owns an 80% interest in the Alford East project, which covers the northern extension of the Alford Copper Trend in South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula.
Images: Thor Energy
