Culpeo Minerals begins geophysical survey at Las Petacas with drilling also underway
Culpeo Minerals’ geophysical survey follows the start of the maiden drilling program at Las Petacas last week.
Recent ASX debutant Culpeo Minerals (ASX: CPO) has begun further exploration at its Las Petacas copper project in Chile with a high-resolution geophysical survey now underway.
The gradient array induced polarisation (GAIP) and pole-dipole (PDIP) survey follows the start of the company’s maiden drilling program at the project, which began last week.
Drilling will comprise 3,200m and is following up on historical results of 6m at 1.26% copper from 20m; 6m at 2.34% copper from 140m; 26m at 1.24% copper and 0.17 grams per tonne gold from 178m; and 66m at 0.31% copper and 0.52g/t gold from 58m.
It is also targeting anomalies identified from a previous GAIP survey.
The previous GAIP survey identified several iron-oxide-copper-gold style anomalies including a large 500m by 400m geophysical target.
Geophysical surveys
This current survey will cover the area directly east of the large target, which is the focus of the maiden drilling program.
“The commencement of a major GAIP and PDIP survey across the highly prospective Diego East target zone is an exciting step forward as we explore Las Petacas,” Culpeo managing director Max Tuesley said.
“Previous surface sampling in the area returned grades of up to 2.49% copper and this new geophysical data will enhance the already strong geological data set that Culpeo has assembled.”
Mr Tuesley added the company aimed to ensure that its exploration and drill programs were well-targeted and cost effective.
GAIP and PDIP surveys are deemed useful in detecting sulphide minerals including copper.
Advancing Las Petacas
Culpeo anticipates the latest survey will generate high quality geophysical data to 600m below surface.
Results from the program are anticipated in November and this data will be used to firm up further drill targets at Las Petacas along with results from the current drilling program.
Meanwhile, visible copper has already been noted at Las Petacas during earthworks for constructing drill pads.
These will be followed up as part of the current drilling campaign.