- Work on the Induced Polarisation (IP) survey across the Luanshya Project in Zambia’s copper-belt – focusing on a 6km strike delineated from previous soil sampling campaigns (1) – is progressing to plan, with eight lines now complete
- Pleasingly, multiple high chargeability targets have been identified within three interpreted lines that potentially indicate the presence of sulphides
- Reconciling the IP survey findings with the previous geochemical results confirmed the high chargeability targets are directly coincident – this significantly enhances the probability for a discovery
- As such, CCZ’s geology team in Zambia can now formulate the inaugural drilling campaign and, pending the outcome of discussions with service providers, potentially commencing work in the fourth quarter of 2021.
- The IP survey, which is being conducted by Geophex Surveys (a Zambian based geophysics consultancy (2)), will soon finish up at Luanshya then progress to the Mkushi Project
- Further updates on progress in Zambia will be forthcoming as developments materialise
- Meanwhile, the second drilling campaign at the Big One Deposit has concluded – the laboratory, which is processing a huge number of samples from many explorers across the Mt Isa region, is expected to return all assays shortly:
- This will enable the geology team to progress work on formulating the next drilling campaign at Big One.
- In addition, all key service providers are on track to commence mobilisation at the Arya Prospect during September 2021, targeting several well-defined bedrock conductors
Castillo Copper’s Managing Director Simon Paull commented: “Our exploration efforts at the Luanshya Project are bearing fruit, as we now have multiple high-quality targets to test-drill along the 6km copper strike. Moving forward, the Board’s goal is to commence the inaugural drilling campaign during the fourth quarter. This will place Castillo Copper in a strong position strategically, with development work progressing concurrently on prime projects in the Zambia and Mt Isa copper-belts.”
Castillo Copper Limited (“CCZ”) is pleased to announce that multiple targets for test-drilling have been identified at the Luanshya Project in Zambia’s copper-belt, following the completion of eight IP survey lines.
COMPELLING TARGETS
IP survey
So far, the geophysics consultancy, Geophex Surveys, has completed eight IP survey lines at the Lunashya Project. The focus area is the 6km copper strike that was previously delineated by soil geochemistry (1) (Figure 1). CCZ’s geology team in Zambia decided to use the IP survey method, rather than alternatives, due to its deep penetration and high levels of resolution.
FIGURE 1: IP SURVEY LINES OVER A 6KM COPPER STRIKE AT LUANSHYA PROJECT
As such, interpretations for three lines resulted in multiple high chargeability anomalies being identified (Figure 2 – inversion model – red zones are clear targets in lines 3, 5 & 7), which are potentially indicative of underlying sulphides. Moreover, as these chargeability anomalies are directly coincident with soil geochemistry results, they make compelling targets to test-drill. Notably, the clear nexus between the geophysical and geochemical results, materially enhances the probability for a discovery.
Based on the results to date, CCZ’s geology team in Zambia can now commence formulating the inaugural drilling campaign for the Luanshya Project. Depending on the outcome of discussions with service providers and key approvals, drilling can potentially commence in the fourth quarter of 2021.
In the interim period however, IP survey work will be completed at Luanshya and then progress to the Mkushi Project.
FIGURE 2: INVERSION MODEL – RED ZONES ARE TARGETS IN LINES 3, 5 & 7
Prospective copper region
The Luanshya Project is located in Zambia’s traditional copper-belt, a globally known region that houses numerous copper deposits and operating mines. Moreover, the Luanshya Project is located ~6-10km south of China Nonferrous Mining Corp’s (CNMC) three operating mines, with combined JORC (2012) compliant Proven & Probable Reserves of 52.3mt @ 1.26% Cu (3). Of significance, the Luanshya Project is on the same NW-SE trendline, which is ~5-10km wide, that hosts two of CNMC’s operating copper mines (3).
Next steps
There are several ongoing steps for the Zambia operations, including:
- Complete the IP survey at the Luanshya & Mkushi Projects then analyse the results for incremental
targets for test-drilling; and - Commence work on the inaugural drilling campaign for the Luanshya Project.
In Queensland, the following is set to take place over the next few weeks:
- Return of all assays from the laboratory which will enable the geology team to formulate the next
drilling campaign. - Commencement of drilling at the Arya Prospect, as all key service providers are ready to deploy to
site
References
- CCZ ASX Release – 1 July 2021
- Geophex Surveys Limited. Available at: http://africa.geovale.com/assosciates/geophex-surveys-limited/
- CCZ ASX Release – 16 September 2019 & 15 April 2020