15 Anomalous Zones Identified at Coppermine Project, 1,250m Drilling Planned

Historical Data Reinvigorates Exploration Prospects

Somerset Minerals Ltd (ASX:SMM) has made significant strides in advancing its Coppermine Project in Nunavut, Canada, by leveraging modern technology to reprocess historical induced polarisation (IP) and resistivity surveys. This effort has unveiled 15 anomalous geophysical zones, with at least five aligning with previous drilling, surface sampling, and mapped copper occurrences, underscoring the project's robust exploration potential.

The reprocessed data, conducted by ExploreGeo, has been pivotal in refining drill targets across the Coronation and Jura prospects. Notably, the Coronation Prospect hosts two large, highly chargeable zones measuring up to 1,700 metres by 300 metres, which are considered walk-up drill targets. These zones are supported by historical drill holes that intercepted significant copper mineralisation, often ending in mineralised intervals.

Coronation Prospect: A High-Grade Copper Opportunity

At Coronation, ten chargeable zones were identified within a 5.7 square kilometre area surveyed in 1968. Among these, Zone B (650m x 70m) is backed by eight historical drill holes with copper intercepts ranging from 15 to 40 metres. Larger anomalies K and L, measuring 1,100 x 300 metres and 1,700 x 300 metres respectively, remain untested but coincide with historical surface samples and copper outcrops, presenting compelling targets for the upcoming drill campaign.

The mineralisation style at Coronation is primarily basalt flow top replacement, hosting native copper and chalcocite in brecciated zones, analogous to the renowned Keweenaw Peninsula copper deposits in Michigan. This style is known for its lateral extent and high grades, as exemplified by the nearby Danvers deposit, which boasts a historic resource of 4.16 million tonnes at 2.96% copper.

Jura District: Extending Known Mineralisation

In the Jura District, reprocessed IP and resistivity surveys covering 2.7 square kilometres have identified several large resistivity isoshells coincident with historic mineralisation. The northern isoshell at the June Prospect, measuring 550 x 150 metres, is supported by 20 historical diamond drill holes with copper intercepts between 1 and 25 metres. Further south, a larger untested isoshell extends along a 7-kilometre high-grade mineralised trend, highlighting significant upside potential.

The mineralisation here is interpreted as fissure-hosted, structurally controlled copper sulphides, comparable to high-grade systems such as the Cliff Mine in Michigan and the Rocklands deposit in Australia. The resistivity signatures correlate strongly with known mineralisation, suggesting interconnected sulphides and a promising target for exploration.

Permitting and Upcoming Drill Campaign

Somerset is advancing permitting and logistical preparations for a maiden 1,250-metre drilling and surface sampling campaign slated for Q2 2025. The Nunavut Planning Commission has issued a positive screening decision, exempting the proposed activities from further review by the Nunavut Impact Review Board. Remaining permits with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and the Nunavut Water Board are progressing on schedule.

Managing Director Chris Hansen expressed confidence in the project’s potential, highlighting the alignment of geophysical anomalies with historical data and the district-scale opportunity presented by Coppermine. The upcoming drill campaign aims to test these high-priority targets and unlock value from this high-grade copper asset.

Strategic Positioning in a Proven Copper Region

The Coppermine Project covers 1,208 square kilometres in the Kitikmeot region, positioning Somerset as the third largest landholder in the area. The tenure predominantly covers the Copper Creek Formation basalts, known to host high-grade copper mineralisation. The project’s geology and mineralisation styles bear strong resemblance to prolific copper districts in Michigan and Australia, providing a compelling geological framework for exploration success.

Somerset’s extensive landholding includes four high-priority districts, Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Jura, and Oban, each supported by historical drilling, surface sampling, and geophysical anomalies. The Oban District, hosting the Coronation Prospect, remains largely unexplored since the early 1970s, offering a rare opportunity to delineate new resources in a historically productive region.