True North Copper (ASX:TNC) has appointed experienced exploration geologist Matt Porter as exploration manager, as drilling continues at the expanding Aquila copper discovery.
Porter brings more than 20 years’ experience across the Mt Isa Inlier, including senior exploration leadership roles with Sandfire Resources (ASX:SFR) and Mount Isa Mines.
His appointment comes as recent geophysical surveys have expanded the interpreted Aquila discovery strike from approximately 1.0km to 1.8km.
Drilling commenced in late April at the Mt Oxide Project to confirm geophysical extensions of Aquila, with assay results expected from late July.
Initial drilling at Aquila returned broad zones of shallow copper (Cu) mineralisation, including 145m at 0.75% Cu from surface, including 53m at 1.18% Cu; and 59m at 1.77% Cu, including 7m at 7.90% Cu.
The discovery builds on the existing ‘high-grade’ Vero Resource of 15.03 million tonnes at 1.46% Cu and 10.59 grams per tonne silver, comprising combined indicated and inferred resources totalling 220,000 tonnes of contained Cu.
“I’m excited to be joining True North at such an important stage in the company’s growth,” Porter says.
“Aquila is one of the most exciting new greenfields copper discoveries in the Mt Isa region in more than 20 years, and the opportunity to help define and grow what appears to be a significant copper mineral system is incredibly compelling.”
Managing Director Andrew Mooney says Porter’s extensive experience across the Mt Isa Inlier and leadership at Sandfire Resources “significantly strengthens exploration capability”.
“With drilling underway to grow the Aquila discovery and further results expected from July, Matt joins at an exciting time as we continue building what we believe is a significant new copper mineral system capable of underpinning a staged and significant development at the Mt Oxide Project,” Mooney says.
True North Copper is exploring the broader Mt Oxide district in North West Queensland, including nearby prospects Aquila North, Apollo, and Acanthis, as it builds a larger mineralised system around the Vero resource and Aquila discovery.
The company will be attending the Noosa Mining Conference, held on 22–24 July 2026 at Peppers Noosa Resort, Noosa Heads, Queensland.
Mining.com.au is an official media partner of this year’s conference and will be at the event.
Write to JC Villarba at Mining.com.au
Images: True North Copper
