Helix Resources Limited (ASX:HLX) has identified 24 high priority copper targets along the combined 120kmsof prospective copper trends which host Helix’s existing Central Zone (CZ) and Canbelego copper resources in NSW.
The new targets have come from the interpretation of the company’s recent, regional scale, detailed airborne electromagnetic (EM) survey on its Cobar exploration tenements.
Managing Director, Mike Rosenstreich, said Helix estimates it has approximately 120 km of copper-prospective trends across its two blocks of exploration tenements in the Cobar region. However, whilst EM is a known ‘discovery tool’ in the area, only 20% of Helix’s copper trends had EM coverage, namely in a small portion of the Collerina Copper trend around the Central Zone (CZ) Mineral Resource.
The new targets for immediate follow-up work comprise extensions or repeat positions in and around the existing Mineral Resources at Canbelego and CZ, EM anomalies coincident with existing copper in soil and magnetic anomalies – reinforcing the prospectivity for copper mineralisation and new-standalone, ‘strong’ EM anomalies occurring along the prospective copper trends.
Highlights for the three regional scale copper trends tested, include:
Collerina Trend – Eight high priority targets identified. Extensions indicated to the immediate north and south of the CZ deposit, as well as high confidence EM conductors to the north at Quanda which is on the same trend as Aeris’ high-grade Kurrajong and Constellation discoveries. Also, distinct subtle conductors at Fiveways to the south, which is on strike from the Tottenham copper deposits and has no surface geochemical coverage.
Rochford Trend- Ten High-priority targets identified.Significant EM anomalies highlighting potential extensions of the Canbelego deposit to the north, south and east, discrete high confidence EM anomalies in the north near the historical Boppy Broken Hill copper workings – as well as reinforcing the potential of both the Cabellero and Bijoux prospects where significant EM conductors coincide with zones of anomalous copper in soils and regional scout drill holes at Bijoux.
Meryula Trend – Six high priority targets identified.Strong, discrete EM anomalies highlighting prospective stratigraphy and structural sites, supported by sparse geochemical data and historical copper (+ Pb & Zn) workings.
The survey has been a tremendous success. It has identified numerous opportunities to discover more high-grade copper sulphide mineralisation as both extensions of existing deposits and for new discoveries,” Mr Rosenstreich said.
“This is the first time we have coverage of all of our copper trends enabling us to rank and prioritise all the target positions and focus our efforts at the highest-ranking targets first. For example, our Quanda target in the north of the Collerina Trend has been a ‘sleeper’ but now, reinforced by high- confidence EM conductors and being south along strike from Aeris’ Kurrajong and Constellation discoveries – it will get a ‘real wake-up’
“This is a really compelling outcome and we have responded quickly with follow-up surface EM surveys and field inspections already underway to better define these targets. Drilling is planned to commence in April and we will likely focus on our highest ranked targets first – namely potential extensions at Canbelego and CZ.”
