R3D Resources Limited (ASX: R3D) has commenced receiving assays from the recent RC drilling programme which targeted northern oxide mineralisation at its Tartana project in Queensland, Australia.
The programme also included the drilling of three ‘resource’ holes below the open pit to enable the estimation of an inferred resource to approximately 100 metres depth below the reported 10,827 copper tonne resource.
Open Pit Primary Copper (chalcopyrite) Mineralization
In April/May 2022 the company completed a 28-hole (1,620m) RC drilling campaign in the northern end of the Tartana open pit with the initial assay results announced to the ASX on the 30 August 2022. This announcement noted that individual 1.0 metre sample assays graded up to 5.21% Cu and 94 g/t Ag (32 – 33 m depth in TR082) while the overall best interval was 39 m at 0.71% Cu from 21 m to 60 m (TR063) and 13 m at 1.71 % Cu from 43 m – 56 m depth. Most of the mineralization was found to be primary (chalcopyrite) mineralisation.
Bluespoint Mining Services Pty Ltd (BMS) subsequently completed a Mineral Resource Estimation (MRE) based on the results of the shallow drilling programme as well as incorporating historical data for shallow portions of the primary copper mineralisation (up to 40 m in thickness) below the open pit. At a 0.2% Cu cut-off grade, the total inferred and indicated resource was estimated at 1.93 Mt @ 0.56% Cu for 10,827 tonnes of contained copper.
The overall drilling and resource estimation supported the interpretation that there is a large, moderate grade mineralised copper system below and to the north of the historical shallow open pit.
Accordingly, the xompany decided to drill three 100 m – 150 m RC strategically located holes and in combination with historical data, would enable the estimation of the copper resource to approximately 100 m depth.
Drillhole TRC098 has been drilled towards the northern end of the of the Tartana open pit and where historical records report the highest levels of copper mineralization.
Further north, the mineralisation may be offset and form part of the northern oxide mineralisation which includes primary copper sulphide mineralization at depth.
Drillhole TRC101 was drilled in the southern part of the pit and was orientated to drill southwest from the north-eastern side of the pit. While the drilling intersected broad copper mineralization, it may not have intersected copper mineralisation in the western portion of the open pit.
Northern Oxide and Primary Copper Mineralization
Assays from RC drilling to-date has returned the intersections to the north of the Tartana open pit. Shallower intersections potentially represent oxide copper zones although metallurgical testwork has not yet been carried out. Encouragingly there are also some notable deeper copper intersections which potentially represent primary copper mineralization extending north of the open pit.
While assays are still pending for the remaining holes, the company says it is encouraging that copper mineralisation appears continuous north of the open pit.
intersections as well as some deeper transition and primary copper mineralised zones.
Copper Sulphate Plant Refurbishment Update
Refurbishment of the copper sulphate plant is resuming this week after the Xmas-New Year break. Key items including the control panel and new acid tanks are scheduled to arrive on site this week. The control panel was expected to be delivered in the first week of December and the delay in its arrival has potentially pushed the commissioning out by three to four weeks and is now expected to commence late January.
“The drilling results highlight the potential for a significant primary copper resource below and to the north of the existing open pit with part of this potential to be realised in the updated primary copper resource estimation. Ore sorting technology may also play a part in supporting development opportunities,” R3D Managing Director Stephen Bartrop said.
“Meanwhile the initial drill results from the northern oxide zone indicate potential for shallow copper oxide mineralisation that may be suitable for copper sulphate production and we await the pending assays.”
For further information please visit: https://tartanaresources.com.au/
