QMines prepares for drilling at Develin Creek following Mt Chalmers PFS success

QMines (ASX: QML) is preparing to further prove the high-grade potential of its Develin Creek copper project in Queensland with a large maiden drilling program set to commence in the coming weeks.

With a further resource upgrade planned, QMines has designed the upcoming program with a focus on in-fill and step-out drilling at the Sulphide City, Scorpion and Window deposits.

The in-fill program will utilise nominal drill spacing of 25 metres to provide further confidence in the resource numbers.

Well-situated

Develin Creek is located approximately 90 kilometres west of QMines’ flagship Mt Chalmers copper and gold project and a similar distance north-west of Rockhampton.

QMines completed the 100% acquisition of Develin Creek from Zenith Minerals (ASX: ZNC) in late August 2023 and less than a month later delivered a resource estimate upgrade.

Largely based on historical exploration work by previous operators, the Develin Creek resource now stands at 3.2 million tonnes at 1.61% for 51,360 tonnes copper equivalent.

The program is intended to add additional mill feed to the company’s planned Mt Chalmers operation, thereby improving the resource and ore reserve at the project.

The combined Mt Chalmers and Develin Creek resources currently stand at 15.1Mt at 1.3% for 195,800t copper equivalent.

Mt Chalmers PFS success

The Develin Creek program follows on from QMines having received robust results from a Mt Chalmers pre-feasibility study (PFS).

“Now that the Mt Chalmers PFS has been delivered, the company will focus on upgrading additional resources at the Develin Creek project whilst concurrently investigating additional satellite targets identified via the electromagnetic survey conducted last year around Mt Chalmers,” said executive chair Andrew Sparke.

“These targets remain a high priority and the company expects to expand the drilling operations at the Artillery Road prospect in Q3 2024.”

RC program planned

To deliver the next Develin Creek resource upgrade, an estimated 60-hole reverse circulation (RC) drilling program for up to 10km has been scheduled for Sulphide City, Scorpion and Window.

The drilling will be completed by the company’s RC rig with planned hole depths between 50m and 200m.

The program is planned to commence in the coming weeks as the wet season rainfall abates, allowing rig access to the project area.