TLD005 Drill Hole Reveals Copper Mineralisation 400m Deeper and 130m South
Redstone Resources has revealed significant new copper and cobalt mineralisation at the Tollu Deposit, extending known zones over 400 metres deeper and 130 metres south. These findings hint at a potentially large magmatic sulphide system beneath the West Musgrave Project.
- Diamond drill hole TLD005 intersects multiple high-grade copper zones deeper and south of known mineralisation
- Cobalt detected in sulphide form within underlying gabbro intrusion, suggesting magmatic source
- Deep mineralisation isolated from surface outcrops, indicating untapped exploration potential
- Government grants secured to co-fund further drilling targeting magnetic anomalies northeast of Tollu
- Exploration strategy now focused on testing connectivity and extent of deep mineralisation in 2026
Expanding the Depths of Tollu
Redstone Resources Limited (ASX, RDS) has announced a breakthrough in its exploration of the Tollu Copper Deposit within Western Australia's West Musgrave Project. The recently completed deep diamond drill hole, TLD005, has intersected multiple lenses of high-grade copper mineralisation at depths exceeding 900 metres; some 400 metres deeper than previously recorded; and approximately 130 metres further south than known zones. This discovery significantly expands the vertical and lateral footprint of the Tollu copper system, previously thought to be largely confined to shallower quartz vein-hosted mineralisation.
Cobalt and the Magmatic Connection
Beyond copper, the drill hole revealed cobalt mineralisation likely present as sulphides within an underlying gabbroic intrusion. This is a critical insight, as cobalt's association with mafic rocks and sulphides supports Redstone's conceptual model that the Tollu copper mineralisation may be sourced from a deeper magmatic sulphide system. Such a system could be analogous to the world-class Nebo-Babel deposit located just 60 kilometres west, known for its copper-nickel-cobalt-platinum group element (PGE) mineralisation.
The presence of cobalt sulphides in the gabbro, distinct from the copper veins, suggests a fertile magmatic environment that could host significant accumulations of these metals. This elevates the prospectivity of the entire West Musgrave Project, potentially positioning Tollu as a candidate for a Voisey’s Bay-style magmatic sulphide deposit.
Isolated Deep Mineralisation and Exploration Upside
Interestingly, the deep copper zones discovered by TLD005 do not have surface expressions, unlike the shallower mineralisation historically targeted by drilling. This isolation implies that previous exploration may have overlooked substantial copper mineralisation at depth. The drill hole veered approximately 130 metres southwest of its planned target, ending in an area not previously drilled, which serendipitously uncovered this new mineralised zone.
Redstone’s Chairman, Richard Homsany, emphasised the significance of these results, noting that the Tollu mineralising system is more extensive and deeper than previously understood. The company is now preparing follow-up drilling programs to test the extent and connectivity of this deep mineralisation, aiming to clarify whether these new zones link structurally to the known copper veins.
Government Support and Next Steps
Supporting Redstone’s exploration momentum, the company has secured Western Australian State government grants to co-fund further drilling. This includes a universal reverse circulation (RC) drilling program planned for early 2026 to test magnetic targets northeast of Tollu, as well as funding for additional deep diamond drilling. These programs will focus on evaluating multiple magnetic anomalies interpreted as mafic magmatic intrusions, which have shown promising signs of copper sulphides in limited prior drilling.
Redstone is also conducting detailed geological and geochemical analyses of the TLD005 drill core to refine its exploration model. The company’s strategy now hinges on unlocking the potential of the deep magmatic system beneath Tollu, which could transform the scale and value of the West Musgrave Project.
Broader Implications for West Musgrave
The Tollu discovery sits strategically between BHP’s Nebo-Babel deposit and Nico Resources’ Wingellina nickel-cobalt project, placing Redstone in a highly prospective corridor for base metals and critical minerals. The confirmation of a gabbroic intrusion hosting cobalt sulphides beneath Tollu aligns with regional geological models and enhances the prospectivity for a major magmatic sulphide deposit.
While the true economic potential of these deep zones remains to be fully assessed, the findings mark a pivotal step in Redstone’s exploration journey, potentially unlocking a new chapter of resource growth in Western Australia’s mineral-rich landscape.
Bottom Line?
Redstone’s deep drilling breakthrough at Tollu sets the stage for a potentially transformative exploration phase in 2026.
Questions in the middle?
- Will follow-up drilling confirm connectivity between deep mineralisation and known copper zones?
- What are the economic implications of cobalt sulphides in the gabbro for project valuation?
- Could Tollu evolve into a major magmatic Cu-Ni-Co-PGE deposit akin to Nebo-Babel or Voisey’s Bay?
