Centaurus Metals has reported its highest-grade copper intersections to date at the Boi Novo Copper-Gold Project, including a standout 5.5m at 8.38% Cu. With drilling set to recommence, the project’s potential as a significant copper-gold discovery is gaining momentum.
- 5.5m at 8.38% copper including 2m at 22.03% copper intersected
- Breccia zone at Nelore Prospect extends over 300m and remains open
- Multiple geophysical targets (DHEM, FLEM, IP) identified for follow-up drilling
- Broad zones of disseminated copper-gold mineralisation also confirmed
- Drilling to restart soon alongside ongoing development of Jaguar Nickel Project
Strong High-Grade Intersections Bolster Boi Novo Prospects
Centaurus Metals Limited (ASX: CTM) has delivered a compelling update from its maiden drilling campaign at the Boi Novo Copper-Gold Project in Brazil’s prolific Carajás Mineral Province. The final holes completed in late 2024 revealed chalcopyrite-rich semi-massive sulphide zones, confirming the continuity of a shallow, high-grade breccia zone at the Nelore Prospect.
The standout result came from drill-hole BON-DD-24-026, which intersected 5.5 metres grading 8.38% copper and 0.18ppm gold from 147 metres, including an exceptional 2 metres at 22.03% copper. This is the highest-grade copper intersection reported at Boi Novo to date, underscoring the prospect’s emerging significance.
Expanding Mineralisation Along Strike and at Depth
Additional drilling results from the breccia zone include a thick 35.5-metre interval at 0.66% copper in hole BON-DD-24-027, located 50 metres down-dip from the high-grade intercept. The breccia zone’s strike length now extends over 300 metres and remains open both along strike and down-dip, with multiple geophysical anomalies, identified through Down Hole Electro-Magnetic (DHEM) and Fixed Loop Electro-Magnetic (FLEM) surveys, awaiting testing.
Beyond the high-grade breccia, broad zones of disseminated copper-gold mineralisation have also been intersected. For example, drill-hole BON-DD-24-021 returned 38.5 metres at 0.26% copper and 0.05ppm gold from 209.5 metres, highlighting the prospect’s potential for substantial tonnage.
Strategic Location and Next Steps
Boi Novo’s location is strategically advantageous, situated just 35 kilometres from Vale’s copper-gold concentrate load-out facility at Parauapebas and less than 20 kilometres from BHP’s Antas Norte copper flotation plant. This proximity to existing infrastructure could enhance the project’s economic viability as it advances.
Centaurus’ Managing Director Darren Gordon emphasised the significance of these results, noting that the discovery of exceptionally high-grade mineralisation zones reinforces Boi Novo’s potential as a major copper-gold asset. The company is mobilising to recommence drilling imminently, targeting the numerous untested geophysical plates and structural controls that could further expand the high-grade zones.
Meanwhile, Centaurus remains well-funded to pursue this extended drilling program alongside ongoing value engineering, pre-development, and financing activities for its flagship Jaguar Nickel Sulphide Project, maintaining a balanced portfolio approach.
Geological Insights and Exploration Methodology
The mineralisation at Nelore is structurally controlled, associated with a granitic dyke intruding the Carajás Iron Formation and mafic volcanic sequences. The breccia zones are interpreted as sulphide remobilisation along secondary structures, a hallmark of Iron-Oxide Copper-Gold (IOCG) deposits prevalent in the region.
Centaurus’ exploration approach integrates detailed diamond drilling with advanced geophysical surveys, including IP chargeability, DHEM, and FLEM, to delineate targets. The company’s rigorous sampling and assay protocols, including QAQC measures and independent laboratory verification, ensure the reliability of reported results.
With multiple high-priority targets identified and mineralisation open in several directions, the upcoming drilling campaign will be pivotal in defining the scale and grade continuity of the Boi Novo deposit.
Bottom Line?
As Centaurus Metals prepares to resume drilling, Boi Novo’s high-grade copper discoveries could reshape the company’s growth trajectory and attract renewed market attention.
Questions in the middle?
- How extensive and continuous are the high-grade breccia zones beyond current drill coverage?
- What are the implications of the granitic dyke on mineralisation continuity and mining feasibility?
- How will upcoming drilling results impact resource estimates and project development timelines?