New Mineral Zones at Great Australia Mine Could Extend Mine Life and Boost Growth

Exploration Breakthrough at Great Australia Mine

True North Copper Limited (ASX – TNC) has unveiled compelling results from its recent reverse circulation drilling program at the Great Australia Mine (GAM), part of its Cloncurry Copper Project in Northwest Queensland. The 17-hole campaign, totaling 3,444 meters, has identified new zones of copper-gold-cobalt mineralisation outside the current resource boundaries, underscoring the project’s untapped potential.

Copperhead Corridor – Expanding the Resource Footprint

Among the standout discoveries are two major north-south mineralised structures at the Copperhead Corridor, extending over 350 meters beyond the known GAM resource footprint. Notably, drill hole CHRC001 intersected 14 meters at 0.81% copper, 0.12 grams per tonne gold, and 749 ppm cobalt, including a higher-grade 6-meter section at 1.37% copper. These shallow intercepts highlight the potential for rapid near-surface resource expansion, which could positively impact future mining plans.

Coppermine Creek – A New Frontier

Groundbreaking results from the first hole drilled at Coppermine Creek, a previously untested target, revealed 12 meters at 0.65% copper and 0.16 grams per tonne gold from 142 meters depth. This intercept lies more than 150 meters from the nearest Great Australia resource drill hole and is associated with strong hydrothermal alteration indicative of a robust Iron Oxide Copper-Gold (IOCG) mineralising system. The company is designing follow-up drilling to explore this promising new zone further.

Paddock Lode South and Orphan Shear – Adding Depth and Breadth

Drilling at Paddock Lode South uncovered two significant shallow mineralised intercepts, including 6 meters at 0.63% copper and 0.15 grams per tonne gold, located 70 to 100 meters southwest of the existing Paddock Lode Pit. These results suggest potential additions to the Taipan Resource. Meanwhile, at Orphan Shear, a highly oxidised copper intercept of 9 meters at 0.83% copper, including 2 meters at 2.57%, points to the possibility of a deeper, high-grade supergene enrichment zone yet to be tested.

Strategic Next Steps and Broader Implications

True North Copper is advancing plans for downhole electromagnetic surveys, 3D induced polarisation remodelling, and detailed geological modelling to refine targeting. Resource definition drilling programs are being designed for Copperhead and Paddock South, with follow-up exploration at Coppermine Creek and below Orphan Shear. These efforts aim to expand the mineral inventory and optimise the mine plan, potentially extending mine life and accelerating company growth.

Leadership Perspective

Managing Director Bevan Jones expressed enthusiasm about the findings, noting that the results exceed expectations and demonstrate that the Great Australia Mine system still holds significant secrets. He highlighted the potential for these discoveries to increase resources, improve mine planning, and create substantial shareholder value. Attention now turns to upcoming drilling at the Mt Oxide Project, which could further bolster True North’s copper inventory.