White Energy Launches Core Drilling at Specimen Hill Copper-Gold Project
White Energy’s subsidiary Amerod Resources has begun a core-drilling campaign at the Specimen Hill Project in Central Queensland, targeting promising copper and gold mineralisation. The program aims to validate historical data and expand geological understanding to guide future exploration.
- Core drilling commenced at 51% owned Specimen Hill Project near Biloela
- Targets include IP, magnetic, and geochemical anomalies linked to copper and gold
- Initial farm-in expenditure milestone of $1 million met within 12 months
- Early rock chip samples show encouraging copper and gold grades
- Drilling program expected to last approximately six weeks with potential expansion
Drilling Begins at Specimen Hill
White Energy Company Limited (ASX – WEC) has officially commenced a core-drilling program through its wholly owned subsidiary, Amerod Resources Pty Ltd, at the Specimen Hill Project near Biloela in Central Queensland. This marks a significant step in advancing exploration efforts at the 51% owned tenements, focusing on copper and gold mineralisation in a geologically prospective region.
The drilling targets a series of induced polarisation (IP), magnetic, and anomalous geochemical signatures identified through previous surveys and historical drilling. The program also aims to verify earlier reverse circulation and percussion drilling results, some dating back over 30 years, to confirm the presence and extent of mineralisation.
Geological Context and Exploration Strategy
The Specimen Hill area lies within a major structural corridor of the New England Orogen, a tectonically complex zone known for hosting significant mineral deposits, including copper and gold. The project’s proximity to the Mount Morgan Fracture Zone; a lithospheric-scale structure believed to channel mineralising fluids; adds to its exploration appeal.
White Energy’s approach integrates advanced geophysical imaging and geochemical analysis, leveraging a research partnership with Quebec’s Institut national de la recherche scientifique. This deep crustal lithospheric analytics technique helps identify mineralisation pathways and potential ore bodies beneath the surface.
Promising Early Results and Next Steps
Preliminary rock chip sampling has yielded encouraging results, with copper grades ranging from 0.436% to 1.320%, alongside notable gold and silver values peaking at 10.95 g/t and 13.70 g/t respectively. These findings support the presence of multiple mineralisation styles, including porphyry, iron oxide copper gold (IOCG), and skarn systems.
The current drilling campaign, expected to last about six weeks, initially focuses on the Mt Rainbow and Mt Walturn areas, where historical anomalies and recent magnetic surveys have highlighted priority targets. Following track access restoration, the program may expand into the southwestern tenements pending further approvals.
Strategic Implications for White Energy
White Energy has met the first stage of its farm-in agreement with Tectonic Gold PLC, having expended $1 million within 12 months to secure a 51% interest in the Specimen Hill Project. This milestone underscores the company’s commitment to advancing its copper and gold exploration portfolio in Queensland.
While the project remains at an early exploration stage, the combination of historical data, modern geophysical techniques, and encouraging assay results positions Specimen Hill as a potentially valuable asset. The outcomes of this drilling program will be critical in shaping future exploration strategies and assessing the project’s resource potential.
Bottom Line?
As drilling progresses, White Energy’s Specimen Hill Project could redefine copper-gold prospects in Central Queensland.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the current drilling confirm economically viable copper and gold mineralisation?
- How might further exploration approvals and program expansions impact project timelines?
- What are the implications of Specimen Hill’s results for White Energy’s overall resource portfolio?
