QMines has strengthened geological confidence in mineralization below the Mt Chalmers pit in central Queensland following pontoon drilling that uncovered high-grade copper-gold mineralization. The drilling intersected 26.2m of mineralization with 1.3% copper and 0.7g/t gold, or 2% copper equivalent, starting at 36.4m, including 2.4m at 5.4% Cu and 3.8g/t Au in hole 26MCDD043.
An additional interval lower in the same hole returned 10.4m at 0.7% copper from 65.6m, including 1.4m at 2.3% copper. QMines reported that diamond core revealed semi-massive sulphides overlying a significant copper-bearing pyrite-chalcopyrite stringer zone.
Geological Relationship
This geological relationship aligns with the Mt Chalmers volcanic-hosted massive sulphide system. Tom Bartschi, exploration manager, stated, “What is equally important is the geology. We have intersected high-grade semi-massive sulphide sitting above a substantial copper-bearing stringer zone, consistent with what we expect from the Mt Chalmers VHMS system.”
Hole 26MCDD047, located about 64m to the east, returned 7.6m at 1.8% Cu and 1.5g/t Au, or 3.2% CuEq, from 42.1m. A separate 1.4m interval within the same hole measured 3.1% Cu and 1g/t Au, or 4% CuEq.
Drilling Results
In parallel, hole 26MCDD048, approximately 81m south-southeast of the main intersection, returned 13m at 1% copper and 0.4g/t gold (1.5% CuEq) from 50m, including 6m at 1.5% copper. The hole concluded in copper-zinc mineralization at 63m and was halted due to drilling challenges.
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QMines is evaluating a follow-up hole to test the area beneath. Drilling results contribute geological and assay data for the resource update, with modern data expected to refine regions relying more on historical drilling.
Mt Chalmers contains a resource of 11.3Mt at 0.75% Cu and 0.42g/t Au, alongside a proved and probable ore reserve of 9.6Mt at 0.65% Cu and 0.48g/t Au. QMines anticipates further modern drilling to enhance the grade model where historical data has higher uncertainty.
Metallurgical Testwork
“These results will feed directly into our Mineral Resource update with an emphasis on a mining-ready estimate, while the fresh core is also supporting ongoing metallurgical testwork,” Bartschi said. Pontoon drilling began below the pit lake in late July, with 14 holes totaling 1281m drilled so far, and another pontoon hole currently in progress.
Assays are pending for another 39 holes, with three rigs continuing operations. The company previously identified visual copper sulphides outside the existing resource, with assays from that target still pending to confirm grades.
