GreenTech Metals has launched high-powered electromagnetic surveys at its flagship Whundo project in Western Australia’s Pilbara region to uncover deep copper-zinc-rich targets ahead of a major 4,000m drilling campaign for the company that kicks off this month.
The fixed loop electromagnetic (FLEM) survey will cover 1.14 square kilometres and will examine the northern down-plunge extensions of key known mineralised zones, including the Whundo, Austin, Shelby and Yannery projects.
Management believes recent stage 1 drilling at the project has confirmed the potential to significantly increase the existing mineral resource of 6.19 million tonnes at 1.12 per cent copper and 1.04 per cent zinc at Whundo.
The company also says the project is close to reaching sufficient tonnage to be developed as a new copper project.
The upcoming 4000m diamond drill program has been designed to build on the company’s stage 1 successes at Whundo and continue testing the depth potential of the Austin, Ayshia, Yannery and Shelby targets and any extensions.
GreenTech has plenty of existing electromagnetic targets that have yielded discoveries and confirmed the FLEM survey method as a proficient tool for uncovering new base metals mineralisation.
The company will now look to leverage advancements in electromagnetic systems with the deeper penetrating FLEM survey and improved definition of conductive bodies compared to a similar survey conducted about two decades ago.
The results, expected in January, will provide updated insights into the mineralised zones and the results are expected to evolve GreenTech’s stage 2 drill program as it progresses from late this month.
GreenTech Metals executive director Tom Reddicliffe said: “With large, deeper targets like Shelby being identified, we are very keen to update our historic FLEM data, which was acquired some 20 years ago. Electromagnetic systems have improved significantly and we anticipate the new high-powered, deep penetrating system that our consultants are employing will provide a clearer picture as to the extent of the Whundo mineralisation at depth as well as potentially identifying new targets.”
Reddicliffe said the the survey results are expected in January and may add to the company’s portfolio of drill targets and allow it to reprioritise the upcoming drill program to include new targets, if warranted.
The Whundo project is known for its volcanogenic massive sulphide mineralisation, with several shoots and zones existing under previous shallow open pits at the project and some untouched and at surface.
The new FLEM survey seeks to build on historical data and earlier drilling results to explore deeper and lateral extensions of these mineralised areas.
Key targets include the Shelby zone, described as a deeper target with strong potential due to its scale and electromagnetic response, along with the Austin and Yannery zones that remain open at depth.
The zones represent opportunities to expand the resource base considerably.
The 2.1km-long strike at the overall area of interest is bracketed by two significant open-pit mining excavations.
Whundo pit is the biggest and is at the southwestern extremity of the trend, while the smaller Ayshia open-pit lies at the trend’s northeastern end.
As copper supply deficits grow and major miners flock to scoop up assets, GreenTech has understood the need for a substantial tonnage mining operation if it ever hopes to compete on the world stage as a lower cost producer.
Hence, the company recently formed a copper-focused Pilbara base metals alliance with neighbour and base metals developer Anax Metals.
GreenTech envisages employing Anax’s fully permitted processing plant at Whim Creek as a near-term processing option for GreenTech’s open-pittable Whundo deposit.
The partnership says the combined assets of the two companies provide significant operational, financial and corporate benefits.
Between the Whundo and Ayshia pits, three other electromagnetic targets have been identified, including the biggest Austin target that appears to be pressed up against the existing Whundo pits.
Austin, like most of the resources at Whundo, remains open at depth down-dip.
The Yannery target lies a further 350m northeast of Shelby and has a smaller electromagnetic signature.
However, it features a small shallow resource and several small prospecting pits and has not yet been drilled.
The Ayshia open pit sits about 700m northeast of Yannery and has a smaller electromagnetic anomaly, which the company interprets as being a potential deeper extension of the known resource.
Notably, the Whundo project sits in a granted mining lease, meaning if GreenTech ever pulls the trigger on a decision to develop the growing project it could quickly commence mine development and seek out fast processing options.
A bevvy of future routes exist for the company, including with new alliance partner Anax or via Artemis Resources’ Radio Hill processing plant just 10km away.
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By Andrew Todd
