White Cliff Minerals has secured all necessary permits to initiate drilling at its Rae Copper Project in Nunavut, targeting exceptionally high-grade copper zones identified in 2024. Drilling is set to commence in March 2025, focusing on the Hulk and Danvers prospects.
- Rae Copper Project fully permitted for drilling activities
- Maiden drilling campaign scheduled to start March 2025
- Focus on high-priority Hulk and Danvers targets with historic assays exceeding 60% copper
- Type B Water Licence granted for seven years by Nunavut Water Board
- Contractor selection and mobilisation updates expected soon
Permit Approval Marks Key Milestone
White Cliff Minerals Limited (ASX: WCN) announced on 29 January 2025 that it has received the final permits required to commence drilling at its Rae Copper Project in Nunavut, Canada. This regulatory greenlight follows a successful 2024 field campaign that uncovered exceptionally high-grade copper assays, some exceeding 60% copper content, positioning the project as a highly prospective sediment-hosted copper play.
The critical Type B Water Licence issued by the Nunavut Water Board allows exploration activities for an initial seven-year period, providing a stable regulatory framework for the company’s planned drilling operations. Notably, the permit approval arrived approximately four weeks ahead of schedule, underscoring efficient stakeholder engagement and regulatory compliance by White Cliff Minerals.
Targeting High-Grade Copper Zones
The maiden drilling campaign is slated to begin in March 2025, with initial focus on the Hulk Sedimentary prospect and the Danvers project area. Both targets have demonstrated significant copper mineralisation in prior exploration, including rock chip samples with grades surpassing 60% copper. The Danvers prospect also hosts a historic resource estimate of 4.16 million tonnes at 2.96% copper, although this estimate predates modern JORC standards and will require validation through drilling.
These targets are part of a broader Rae Copper Project portfolio that includes multiple high-grade copper occurrences such as Vision, Rocket, Thor, and Wanda, each contributing to the project's overall potential. The company’s strategic focus on these priority zones aims to rapidly advance resource definition and unlock value for shareholders.
Operational Plans and Next Steps
White Cliff Minerals is currently finalising contractor selection and logistical arrangements for mobilisation to the Rae site. Managing Director Troy Whittaker expressed enthusiasm about the swift permit approval and the upcoming drilling campaign, highlighting the company’s commitment to safe and efficient operations. Updates on drill targeting and contractor appointments are expected in the coming weeks, which will provide further clarity on the campaign’s scope and timeline.
The Rae Copper Project’s location in the Great Bear Lake area, known for its prolific iron-oxide-copper-gold-uranium-silver mineralisation, adds geological credibility to White Cliff’s exploration strategy. The company’s broader portfolio also includes gold projects in Western Australia, but the Rae Copper Project remains the flagship asset driving near-term exploration activity.
Market and Strategic Implications
Securing full permitting ahead of schedule is a positive signal to the market, reducing regulatory risk and enabling White Cliff Minerals to capitalise on the momentum generated by last year’s high-grade assay results. The upcoming drilling campaign will be closely watched by investors and analysts eager to see if the initial surface sampling translates into substantial mineral resources.
While the historic resource at Danvers provides a useful benchmark, the company’s adherence to JORC standards and modern exploration techniques will be critical in converting exploration success into a defined resource base. The results of this maiden drilling campaign could significantly influence White Cliff’s valuation and strategic options moving forward.
Bottom Line?
With permits secured and drilling imminent, White Cliff Minerals is poised to transform high-grade copper potential into tangible resource growth.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the maiden drilling results compare to the exceptional surface copper assays reported in 2024?
- What are the timelines and budgets allocated for the full drilling campaign at Rae Copper Project?
- How might the historic Danvers resource estimate be updated or revised following new drilling data?