How Deep Can Jericho’s Copper Riches Go? AIC Mines Extends Deposit 250m

Jericho Deposit Deepens with Strong Drill Results

AIC Mines Limited (ASX, A1M) has announced encouraging exploration results from its Jericho copper deposit in Northwest Queensland, marking a significant step in the company’s growth strategy. Recent wide-spaced step-out drilling has successfully extended the J1 lens mineralisation approximately 250 metres below the current resource base, reaching depths of around 600 metres below surface. This extension lies beneath the previously defined Jumbuck and Squatter mineral resources, highlighting the deposit’s impressive vertical continuity.

The drilling program delivered notable intercepts, including a 5.0-metre section grading 1.3% copper with accompanying gold and silver credits, and a higher-grade 3.6-metre interval grading 2.7% copper. These results not only confirm the presence of substantial copper mineralisation at depth but also underscore the potential for valuable by-products such as gold and silver, enhancing the economic prospects of the deposit.

Strategic Importance of Jericho to AIC Mines

Located just four kilometres south of AIC Mines’ operating Eloise copper mine and processing plant, Jericho forms a critical part of the company’s portfolio. The deposit extends over a strike length of five kilometres and remains open along strike and at depth, suggesting considerable upside potential. The recent drilling also intersected sulphide breccias associated with conductive anomalies identified by advanced geophysical surveys, validating the use of Audio Frequency Magnetotelluric (AMT/MT) methods to detect mineralisation beneath cover rocks.

Managing Director Aaron Colleran expressed confidence in the results, stating that the findings highlight the quality, scale, and continuity of the Jericho system. This bodes well for AIC Mines’ ambitions to expand production capacity at Eloise, with plans underway to increase copper concentrate output from approximately 12,500 tonnes per annum to around 20,000 tonnes per annum by integrating Jericho’s resources.

Looking Ahead, Defining the Resource and Production Growth

The company plans to continue drilling in 2026, focusing on further defining the down-dip extensions of the J1 and J2 lenses, testing newly discovered lenses such as J3, and completing pending assay results. Metallurgical testwork conducted in 2024 supports the recoverability of copper, gold, and silver from Jericho ore, reinforcing its potential contribution to AIC Mines’ production pipeline.

These developments come at a time when copper demand remains robust globally, driven by electrification and renewable energy trends. AIC Mines’ ability to grow its resource base at Jericho and expand processing capacity at Eloise positions it well to capitalise on this demand.