Hammer Metals hits copper and rare earth zones in drilling at Hardway target

Follow-up reverse circulation drilling at the Hardway target in northwest Queensland has delivered broad and shallow intercepts of copper and rare earth mineralisation for owner Hammer Metals (ASX: HMX).

Eight holes for 952 metres intersected consistent zones of copper oxide mineralisation, confirming historical intersections and increasing confidence in the nature of the deposit.

Best results were 47m at 1% copper from 14m including 21m at 1.21% from 25m; 43m at 0.9% copper from 16m within 88m at 0.62% from surface including 5m at 2.78% and 0.1 grams per tonne gold from 31m; 52m at 0.71% copper from 78m including 3m at 3.9% and 0.12g/t gold from 114m; 35m at 0.84% copper from 46m within 65m at 0.59% from 20m; and 19m at 1.02% copper from 56m within 77m at 0.42% from surface.

Previous drilling at Hardway in February and May also intercepted broad zones of shallow copper and rare earths with best results of 57m at 1.0% copper from surface including 10m at 2.87% copper, 0.11g/t gold and 0.09% total rare earth and yttrium oxides (TREYO) from 25m; 24m at 1.06% copper and 0.20% TREYO from 14m within 58m at 0.55% copper from surface to end of hole; and 13m at 1.20% copper from 35m within 38m at 0.66% copper from 13m.

Encouraging zones

The wide zones of alteration and oxide copper mineralisation have been reported as “extremely encouraging”.

The data now being analysed to target deeper sulphide zones and establish a sulphide source.

The depth of weathering encountered so far is thought to relate to acid-related oxidation caused by the breakdown of sulphides.

A diamond drilling program is being considered to aid the structural interpretation and to explore for a higher-grade sulphide system at depth.

Hardway potential

Managing director Daniel Thomas said the results have further elevated the potential of the Hardway discovery in Hammer’s portfolio.

“Our follow-up drilling has delivered consistent intercepts and confirmed Hardway as a shallow copper oxide prospect extending over a strike length of more than 600m, with broad zones of strong copper mineralisation encountered from surface,” he said.

“The extent of the mineralisation and observed alteration is unlike many of our recently drilled prospects in the Mount Isa region and indicates a possible significant mineralisation event… based on the results to date, the potential to define an initial mineral resource at Hardway will be examined.”