UPDATE: True North Copper has just announced a significant breakthrough in its exploration efforts at the Aquila copper-silver-cobalt discovery in Queensland. After a recent induced polarisation (IP) survey, the junior explorer has identified multiple new drill targets within the Mt Oxide project, located approximately 140 kilometres north of Mt Isa. With drilling operations already underway, the company aims to rapidly expand the mineralized footprint of this promising site.
The latest IP survey has remarkably extended the geophysical trend at Aquila from 250 metres to over 1.3 kilometres, coinciding with previously identified surface mineralization. This expansion follows impressive drill results from an earlier reverse circulation program, confirming a new copper discovery zone that has caught the attention of investors and analysts alike.
Among the highlights from the initial drilling at Aquila are thick, high-grade copper intervals, including a notable 145-metre section grading 0.75% copper, 0.12% cobalt, and 2.9 grams per tonne (g/t) silver starting from 28 metres. Another section yielded 53 metres at 1.18% copper and 3.6 g/t silver from a depth of 86 metres. Additionally, results include 30 metres at 2.45% copper from a shallow 20-metre intercept, featuring an outstanding 10-metre sample grading 5.31% copper.
These findings are just the beginning, as True North Copper believes a district-scale system is emerging at Mt Oxide. The company has identified three newly defined trends: Aquila, Apollo, and Acanthis, with Apollo and Acanthis demonstrating comparable or stronger geophysical anomalies than those observed at Aquila. Drilling operations have commenced at the Apollo trend, with five holes drilled for 1,350 metres. Assay results are anticipated in November.
True North Copper’s confidence stems from the successful 2024 IP geophysical program that led to Aquila’s discovery. The company’s systematic, data-driven approach is expected to yield significant resource growth and value at the Mt Oxide project.
In addition to the ongoing work at Aquila, the drill rig has recently returned from targeting the Wallace North and Salebury prospects, located 120 kilometres east of Mt Isa, where assay results are also pending. The company engaged Australian Geophysical Services to conduct a comprehensive 5.6-line-kilometre IP survey at Aquila, aimed at identifying potential mineralization beneath leached gossan zones while enhancing understanding of the regional geological architecture.
Aquila is in close proximity to the company’s Vero copper-silver-cobalt resource, which boasts a solid 15.03 million tonnes grading 1.46% copper and over 5 million ounces of silver. The project also holds a cobalt resource of 9.15 million tonnes at a grade of 0.23% cobalt.
The Mt Oxide project has vast potential, with many prospects, including Aquila and Mt Gordon, yet to undergo modern drilling techniques. Historical data from the Mt Gordon mine, which operated in the 1950s and 1960s, suggests it produced 824 tonnes of ore yielding 90.4 tonnes of copper, indicating a remarkable grade of 11%.
True North Copper is now strategizing to design optimally positioned drill holes to validate the geophysical model and further test the extensions of high-grade copper discovered at Aquila. The company is also planning step-out drilling both north and south of the discovery zone.
With a growing list of targets and the promise of significant mineral discoveries, True North Copper is positioning itself as a key player in the copper exploration sector. The global mining community will be watching closely as assay results from ongoing drilling are expected to provide further insights into the project’s potential.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
