37 Holes Confirm 5.6Mt Copper Resource Potential at Carmen Project
Norfolk Metals has released promising initial assay results from its maiden drilling campaign at the Carmen Copper Project in Chile, confirming both shallow copper oxide and deeper sulphide mineralisation. These findings reinforce the project's potential for a JORC-compliant resource and set the stage for further exploration.
- Completion of 37-hole RC drilling phase totaling 3,401m
- Significant copper grades confirmed near surface and at depth
- Validation of historical NI 43-101 resource with potential for expansion
- Pending assays from remaining drill holes and historical diamond core
- Phase #2 diamond drilling planned to target sulphide mineralisation
Initial Drilling Success at Carmen Copper Project
Norfolk Metals Ltd has announced the first assay results from its maiden drill campaign at the Carmen Copper Project, located in Chile’s prolific Atacama Region. The reverse circulation (RC) drilling phase, comprising 37 holes and over 3,400 meters, has confirmed the presence of copper mineralisation both near surface and at depth. Notably, the results validate historical data and highlight the potential for a significant copper resource.
Shallow Copper Oxide and Deeper Sulphide Zones
The assays reveal a robust copper oxide zone from surface to approximately 45 meters depth, with grades averaging around 0.6% copper. Beneath this, the drilling intercepted primary copper sulphide mineralisation starting as shallow as 50 meters below the oxide blanket, with some intervals reaching grades up to 2.8% copper. These findings suggest a vertically extensive mineralised system, which could enhance the project's economic viability.
Validation and Expansion Potential
Several twin holes drilled during the campaign closely matched historical drill results, providing confidence in the continuity and reliability of the mineralisation model. The project hosts a historical NI 43-101 copper resource estimate of 5.6 million tonnes at 0.6% copper, although this is not yet JORC-compliant. The recent drilling also identified promising step-out targets along strike and in the hanging wall, indicating potential for resource expansion beyond the known limits.
Next Steps, Diamond Drilling and Further Assays
Assay results for six remaining RC holes and approximately 1,000 meters of historical diamond drill core are expected in January 2026. These data will be critical for refining the geological model and planning the next phase of diamond drilling, which aims to delineate sulphide mineralisation at depth more precisely. Norfolk Metals is also progressing metallurgical studies and environmental permitting, essential steps toward developing a low-cost heap leach operation producing copper cathode on site.
Strategic Location and Market Context
The Carmen Copper Project benefits from its location in Chile, the world’s largest copper producer, and proximity to major deposits such as the Nueva Unión joint venture between Teck and Newmont. With copper demand rising due to electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure, the project’s shallow oxide mineralisation and sulphide potential position Norfolk Metals well to capitalize on favorable market conditions.
Bottom Line?
As Norfolk Metals advances assay results and diamond drilling, the Carmen Project’s true resource potential and economic viability will come into sharper focus.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the pending assays confirm and expand the high-grade sulphide zones?
- How soon can Norfolk Metals convert the NI 43-101 resource to a JORC-compliant estimate?
- What metallurgical characteristics will influence the feasibility of heap leach processing?
