The directors of Thor Mining Plc have advised copper and gold intercepts significantly above the mineral resource estimate (MRE) cut-off grade, on completion of the initial diamond drilling programme at the Alford East Copper-Gold Project, South Australia.
Project highlights
- Nine diamond drillholes totalling 878 m are now complete; with assays from first two drillholes received.
- Significant intercepts including:
- 21AED001: 32.9 m at 0.4% copper (Cu) and 0.31 g/t gold (Au) from 81.5 m and 5 m at 0.5% Cu and 1.02 g/t Au from 102 m.
- 21AED002: 59.9 m at 0.31% Cu from 21.9 m.
- Positive correlation between assay results and preliminary pXRF readings for 21AED001 and 21AED002, gives Thor greater confidence in pXRF for future drill targeting.
- Significant pXRF copper readings (to be confirmed by laboratory assays) including:
- 21AED005: 73 m at 0.74% Cu from 6.3 m (pXRF).
- 21AED004: 50 m at 0.45% Cu from 6 m (pXRF).
- 21AED002, 21AED006 and 21AED007 were drilled up to 100 m to the north of the MRE domain, with assays extending the known copper mineralisation along strike.
- Assays from the first two drillholes highlight grade uplift along the north-south trending controlling structure, validating the new geological model and structural controls on mineralisation.
- A water bore was successfully completed for initial ISR pump testing and hydro-metallurgical test work.
- Remaining assays expected over the coming weeks.
Nicole Galloway Warland, Managing Director of Thor Mining, commented: “The new geological model and drill targeting is paying off. The uplift in copper and especially gold grade, adjacent to what appears to be a controlling structure is very exciting and beyond the Directors expectations, suggesting potential for an extended zone of higher-grade copper and gold along this structure.
“The intersections of copper mineralisation in three drillholes drilled up to 100 m north of the AE-5 MRE, suggests a structural link to the AE-8 domain to the NE, and potentially significant upside to the MRE.
“These initial copper and gold grades, wide intercepts and increased depth of weathering are all very encouraging for In-Situ Recovery, the innovative mining technique that has minimal impact on the surrounding environment in contrast to conventional opencast mining.”