Highlights
- Surefire reported promising copper assay results from its Copper Hill project in Western Australia.
- Drill hole PBRC010 revealed copper values increasing from 1,695ppm to 2,010ppm.
- Sulphur concentrations reached up to 27,270ppm (2.7% S), indicating strong sulphide presence as a vector to mineralisation.
- Plans for further exploration include geophysical studies to identify massive or disseminated sulphide targets.
Surefire Resources NL (ASX:SRN) has received the first pass geochemical assay results from its scout drilling of surface copper targets at the wholly owned Copper Hill project in Western Australia. Previously known as the Yidby East Phat Boy project, Copper Hill has returned promising results from drill hole PBRC010, which was drilled beneath target T2.
The surface copper values at this target reached up to 230ppm Cu over a 500m x 500m zone. Assay results revealed an increase in copper values from a depth of 32m to the hole's final depth of 62m. Copper levels ranged from 1,695ppm to 2,010ppm, peaking at the end of the hole.
Copper Assays from hole PBRC101. Image source: Company update
Geological Observations and Mineralisation Potential
Surface copper anomalism was identified across a broad, featureless, northeast-trending elongate hill. The drilling program encountered black volcanic-derived meta-sediments containing thick zones of disseminated sulphides, which host the copper as well as anomalous concentrations of other elements, particularly sulphur, which reached up to 27,270ppm (2.7% S). The elevated copper and sulphur levels suggest the presence of sulphides, potentially indicating a vector for mineralisation.
Field observations highlight a northeast-southwest trend aligning surface and subsurface anomalism, which are interpreted as a Cu-S trend. This trend will be the focus of further exploration.
Details of the drilling program
On 5 December 2024, the company announced the completion of its maiden drilling program, which included 11 reverse circulation drill holes totalling 672m.
The program was conducted over a 3km x 2km geochemical target area, and all samples were submitted for multi-element XRF analysis at NAGROM Laboratories in Perth.
Next Steps and Further Exploration Plans
The recent drilling has confirmed subsurface anomalism, with target T2 delivering the most promising results.
SRN plans to follow up using geophysical methods such as induced polarisation (IP) and electromagnetics (EM) to identify potential massive or disseminated sulphide targets.
Target T4, which remains untested, will be included in the next phase of drilling. Additionally, the volcanic rocks containing disseminated sulphides will be sent to a petrologist for thin-section analysis and further evaluation.
SRN shares were trading at AU$0.004 per share at the time of writing on 23 January 2025.