Mining

Zenith Minerals strikes massive copper-zinc and iron in first hole at Sulphide City within Develin Creek

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By Lorna Nicholas - 
Zenith Minerals ASX ZNC Develin Creek copper zinc project drilling commenced

At Develin Creek, Zenith plans to build on the current inferred resource of 2.57Mt at 1.76% copper, 2.01% zinc, 0.24g/t gold and 9.6g/t silver.

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Zenith Minerals (ASX: ZNC) has hit massive copper-zinc and iron sulphides in its first hole at the Sulphide City deposit within its Develin Creek project in Queensland.

Diamond drilling intersected a 16.5m interval of the mineralisation with the core to be used in metallurgical test work as well as grade evaluation.

The current program is expected to take three weeks to complete and is part of a wider exploration initiative at Develin Creek.

Drilling is focusing on near resource targets to test geophysical, geological and geochemical anomalies.

Further ground and airborne surveys will be undertaken over ground surrounding the new Snook target, while regional geochemical soil sampling will also be conducted.

Develin Creek hosts a volcanogenic massive sulphide mineral deposit with an inferred resource of 2.57 million tonnes at 1.76% copper, 2.01% zinc, 0.24 grams per tonne gold and 9.6g/t silver.

Copper strategy

Zenith chairman Peter Bird said the program kicks-off the company’s broader accelerated copper exploration strategy.

“Our objective here is to build on the current JORC compliant resource at Develin Creek during the rest of 2021.”

“We have been active with both geological mapping and drone magnetic surveying since Christmas to assist with our ongoing drill targeting.”

He noted that VMS systems such as those found at Develin Creek tend to occur in clusters, adding the company was “keen” to build on its metal inventory.

“Copper is the ultimate green metal and remains essential in the ongoing development of quality infrastructure and transport around the world.”

“The copper market is estimated to be very supply constrained over the next few years.”

“We are very excited to be in this sector and hence Develin Creek remains a strong pillar of our base and precious metals portfolio,” Mr Bird added.

Core gold projects

As well as its copper strategy, Zenith is also advancing its other assets including core gold projects – Red Mountain in Queensland, Split Rocks in WA, and Jackadgery in NSW.

Previous drilling at all three has uncovered high grade gold and broad intersections.

At Red Mountain, highlight results include 15m at 3.5g/t gold, and 2m at 8g/t gold and 109.4g/t silver.

Drilling at Split Rocks has intersected 32m at 9.4g/t gold, and Jackadgery has a historic trench of 160m at 1.2g/t gold.