White Cliff Minerals discovers significant copper vein systems at Rae project in Canada
White Cliff Minerals (ASX: WCN) has identified multiple high-grade copper and precious metal vein systems at its Rae copper project in northern Canada.
The company commenced exploration at Rae in Nunavut – currently one of the hottest copper exploration destinations in Canada – this past July.
Now, the first batch of assay results from rock chip samples from a maiden 2024 field program has confirmed outcropping and high-grade copper and precious metals hosted in extensive massive chalcocite vein systems of significant lateral extent.
‘Extraordinary in scope’
“The Rae copper project is extraordinary in scope and scale,” managing director Troy Whittaker said.
“It is my belief that these results are the highest-ever recorded copper assays from a representative rock chip sample anywhere in the world and, in fact, are approaching the stoichiometric maximum copper can reach in an ore-forming mineral.”
“The results […] provide longer-term opportunities for not just bulk-tonne sedimentary-hosted copper but also the potential for direct shipping of high-grade copper concentrate using a mine-and-ship approach from these newly identified chalcocite veins.”
Hulk primary target
The company’s current primary focus is the Hulk target, which has been identified as a large-scale sedimentary-hosted copper target where there is a 16 kilometre-by-4km magnetic anomaly.
The anomaly has been identified as coincident with extensive surface staining of malachite, with one sample returning 1.65% copper.
Mr Whittaker said the identification of copper in this area provides geological proof for the first time that copper-rich hydrothermal fluids have permeated the sedimentary basin.
“In the next months, the company expects to receive the mobile geophysical results, which will sharpen the resolution of the previous groundwork, confirming drilling targets for the upcoming campaign, which will include the priority – Hulk.”
Long corridor
A structural corridor of more than 10km, including the Don and Pat project areas, has been investigated at the Vision district.
Don and Pat lie along a set of regional north-to-north-east trending structures just 4.7km apart.
The company is currently awaiting results from recent geophysical surveys conducted to confirm whether the two project areas are in fact one single body.
Integration of all 2024 data will culminate in the definition of drill targets for a 2025 maiden drilling campaign at the Rae project.