GreenTech Metals (ASX: GRE) recently hosted a webinar, offering a comprehensive update on its flagship Whundo Copper Project. Led by Executive Director Thomas Reddicliffe and Technical Advisor Julian Hanna, the session provided investors with insights into the company’s rapid resource growth and future plans, as the demand for copper and battery metals continues to rise globally.
Since acquiring the Whundo Copper-Zinc Project from Artemis Resources, GreenTech has more than doubled the resource, increasing from 2.7 million tonnes to 6.2 million tonnes. The resource is currently 1.12% copper and 1.04% zinc, and Reddicliffe is optimistic about further expansion. “We’ve had significant success in this area and are optimistic about further discoveries as we explore deeper and test new zones,” he said. Over 90% of previous drilling focused on depths below 150 metres, and deeper exploration, now extending to 600 metres, is showing promising results.
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One of Whundo’s standout advantages is its proximity to Karratha, a major mining hub in Western Australia. Hanna highlighted how this strategic location simplifies logistics and enhances workforce retention. “This location is a major advantage,” he explained. “It allows us to operate efficiently and attract a stable workforce, something that is essential in a competitive mining environment.” The 40-kilometre bitumen road connecting Whundo to Karratha means GreenTech can avoid the costs of building an on-site accommodation village, further bolstering its plans to fast-track the project to production.
While copper remains GreenTech’s core focus, the company is equally confident in the quality of its lithium prospects. The Osborne and Kobe projects, located in the “lithium corridor” near Azure Minerals’ operations, have returned highly encouraging results. Assays at Osborne show lithium oxide grades as high as 3.6% over a 5-kilometre strike length, while Kobe has yielded up to 2.3% lithium oxide over 9 kilometres. The potential scale of these projects places GreenTech in a strong position to benefit from the continued demand for lithium, driven by the electric vehicle revolution and energy storage needs.
As global demand for critical minerals like copper intensifies, GreenTech Metals is positioned to take full advantage. With the Whundo Copper Project continuing to yield strong results, further drilling and resource expansion on the horizon, and strategic alliances such as the one with Anax, GreenTech’s outlook is promising. Investors should keep an eye on this dynamic junior as it works to unlock the potential of its flagship project, while remaining confident in the quality of its lithium assets amidst a buoyant battery metals market.
Whundo Copper Project: Steady Growth in Resource
Since acquiring the Whundo Copper-Zinc Project from Artemis Resources, GreenTech has more than doubled the resource, increasing from 2.7 million tonnes to 6.2 million tonnes. The resource is currently 1.12% copper and 1.04% zinc, and Reddicliffe is optimistic about further expansion. “We’ve had significant success in this area and are optimistic about further discoveries as we explore deeper and test new zones,” he said. Over 90% of previous drilling focused on depths below 150 metres, and deeper exploration, now extending to 600 metres, is showing promising results.With six mineralised bodies already identified along a 2-kilometre strike length, Whundo’s resource footprint is expected to grow. The high-priority Shelby conductor, with a 400-metre plunge depth, represents significant upside for the company, and is a key target in the next drilling phase.
Leadership with a Track Record of Success
GreenTech’s Technical Advisor, Julian Hanna, brings over 35 years of experience in managing exploration, development, mining, and corporate growth. Hanna’s impressive career includes co-founding Western Areas Limited (ASX: WSA), where he grew the company from a junior explorer to a $1.95 billion nickel miner, developing two high-grade nickel sulphide mines in Western Australia. He also played a key role in developing MOD Resources, which discovered major copper deposits in Botswana’s Kalahari Copper Belt before being acquired by Sandfire Resources for $167 million.
Hanna’s excitement about GreenTech’s potential was palpable during the webinar, particularly as he discussed the Whundo Project’s upside. “What excites us most about Shelby is the depth potential,” he said. “We’re seeing large conductive plates that haven’t been fully tested. Shelby alone could be a game-changer for us.”
Hanna’s extensive experience in copper, nickel, and gold deposits is invaluable as GreenTech advances its exploration efforts. Having helped guide companies from discovery through to development and production, Hanna’s role in steering GreenTech’s copper ambitions provides both technical expertise and strategic vision.
Key Infrastructure and Strategic Location
One of Whundo’s standout advantages is its proximity to Karratha, a major mining hub in Western Australia. Hanna highlighted how this strategic location simplifies logistics and enhances workforce retention. “This location is a major advantage,” he explained. “It allows us to operate efficiently and attract a stable workforce, something that is essential in a competitive mining environment.” The 40-kilometre bitumen road connecting Whundo to Karratha means GreenTech can avoid the costs of building an on-site accommodation village, further bolstering its plans to fast-track the project to production.Exploration Successes and Expansion Opportunities
GreenTech’s focus at Whundo remains on extending its resource through deeper drilling and expanding known mineralised zones. Hanna emphasised the potential within the project’s volcanic massive sulphide (VMS) system, which has produced high-grade copper-zinc bodies across the 2-kilometre strike length. The Ayshia zone, located 1.5 kilometres northeast of the Whundo pits, is another promising area, with recent results revealing strong copper grades, including 23.7 metres at 3.19% copper.
“The EM data suggests that the Ayshia zone extends further than we initially thought,” Hanna noted. With multiple high-priority EM targets identified, including the Shelby conductor and unexplored sections between existing resource zones, GreenTech’s upcoming drilling campaigns are expected to unlock further value.
Collaboration with Anax Metals
GreenTech’s partnership with Anax Metals (ASX: ANX) is a strategic move to accelerate development. Anax is advancing its Whim Creek project, and both companies are exploring potential synergies in processing and development. The nearby Radio Hill facility, owned by Artemis Resources, provides another possible processing option, further reducing GreenTech’s capital requirements.
“By working closely with Anax, we can fast-track development and share infrastructure costs, which will benefit both companies,” said Reddicliffe.
Confidence in Lithium Prospects
While copper remains GreenTech’s core focus, the company is equally confident in the quality of its lithium prospects. The Osborne and Kobe projects, located in the “lithium corridor” near Azure Minerals’ operations, have returned highly encouraging results. Assays at Osborne show lithium oxide grades as high as 3.6% over a 5-kilometre strike length, while Kobe has yielded up to 2.3% lithium oxide over 9 kilometres. The potential scale of these projects places GreenTech in a strong position to benefit from the continued demand for lithium, driven by the electric vehicle revolution and energy storage needs.Majors in the sector, such as Rio Tinto and Pilbara Minerals, are continuing to expand opportunistically, reflecting the broader industry confidence in lithium’s outlook. The recent joint venture between Pilbara and Latin Resources underscores how critical lithium has become in Australia’s battery metals scene. Meanwhile, smaller players like Raiden Resources (ASX: RDN) are actively drilling in the West Pilbara, with all eyes keenly watching how the market reacts to lithium discoveries in the region.
“We haven’t given up on lithium by any means,” Reddicliffe confirmed. “We’re continuing to plan and assess drilling options, especially in the current market where majors are positioning themselves strategically. We believe our assets hold significant upside.”
Future Plans: Drilling and Development
Looking ahead, GreenTech has a busy 2024 planned, with Stage 2 drilling set to begin in the December quarter. This drilling will target deeper extensions of known mineralised zones at Whundo, particularly at Shelby, Ayshia, and Yannery. GreenTech is also conducting conceptual mining studies to evaluate both open-pit and underground scenarios, aiming to fast-track the project into production.
“With the resource we already have and the potential for expansion, Whundo represents a genuine fast-track opportunity for us,” Reddicliffe said. “The infrastructure is in place, the team is on the ground, and the market fundamentals for copper are extremely favourable.”
Poised for Rapid Growth
