Lachlan Star’s Basin Creek Copper Target Extends Deep, Drilling to Test Next Phase
Lachlan Star has identified a significant new copper drill target at its Basin Creek project in New South Wales, following a detailed Induced Polarisation geophysical survey that revealed a large, chargeable anomaly correlating with recent high-grade copper intercepts.
- Extensive IP geophysical survey reveals large chargeable anomaly north of recent drilling
- Recent drilling returned multiple high-grade copper intercepts confirming mineralisation
- 3D inversion modelling indicates anomaly extends over 500m north and plunges beyond 250m depth
- Strong correlation between chargeability and copper sulphide mineralisation validated by down hole geophysics
- Step-out drilling program planned for 2025 to test high-priority targets across the anomaly
Exploration Breakthrough at Basin Creek
Lachlan Star Limited (ASX: LSA) has announced a pivotal advancement in its exploration efforts at the Basin Creek prospect, part of its 100%-owned Junee Project in New South Wales. The company’s recent Pole-Dipole Induced Polarisation (IP) geophysical survey has delineated a substantial chargeable anomaly immediately north of its maiden drilling campaign, suggesting the presence of a significant copper sulphide system.
The IP survey, completed over 13 east-west lines spanning approximately 13 line kilometres, was designed to detect subsurface chargeability contrasts typically associated with copper sulphide mineralisation. Advanced 3D inversion modelling of the data revealed an extensive and robust chargeable and resistive anomaly that correlates closely with previously reported copper intercepts from drilling.
Corroborating High-Grade Copper Intercepts
The recent drilling program at Basin Creek yielded encouraging results, including intercepts such as 79.2 metres at 0.5% copper (including 0.8 metres at 11.8% copper), 21 metres at 1.2% copper (including 4.5 metres at 3.0% copper), and 9.1 metres at 2.7% copper (including 3.5 metres at 6.6% copper). These intercepts align closely with the chargeable zones identified by the IP survey, reinforcing the interpretation that the anomaly represents a mineralised copper system.
Further validation came from down hole IP geophysics, which demonstrated a strong correlation between chargeability responses and copper sulphide mineralisation encountered in drilling. This multi-method approach enhances confidence in the geophysical signatures as reliable indicators of copper mineralisation.
Expanding the Search Space
Significantly, the chargeable anomaly extends approximately 500 metres north beyond the previously drilled areas and plunges to depths exceeding 250 metres. This northern extension, which remains untested by drilling, represents a high-priority target for the company’s upcoming exploration activities. The anomaly also coincides with a broad copper-in-soil geochemical anomaly, providing a compelling vector for further drill testing.
Geological observations confirm the mineralisation is hosted within intermediate volcaniclastics and andesitic volcanics, with alteration assemblages consistent with copper sulphide systems. Importantly, no lithologies capable of generating false IP anomalies were identified, strengthening the reliability of the geophysical data.
Next Steps: Step-Out Drilling Program
Lachlan Star is preparing for a systematic step-out drilling campaign scheduled for the March quarter of 2025. This program aims to test multiple high-priority targets across the chargeable IP anomaly and copper-in-soil footprint, with the goal of expanding the known mineralised system and advancing Basin Creek towards resource definition.
CEO Andrew Tyrrell expressed optimism about the findings, stating, "The results of this survey are exciting and highlight a very compelling drill target, immediately north of our most recent drilling. We have confidence that the chargeable response is a result of the copper sulphide system, which we were able to verify through down hole geophysics and geological observations."
Situated within the highly prospective Lachlan Fold Belt, Basin Creek benefits from proximity to several major copper-gold deposits, underscoring the strategic importance of Lachlan Star’s exploration efforts in this region.
Bottom Line?
With a large, validated copper anomaly now defined, Lachlan Star’s upcoming drilling at Basin Creek could unlock a significant new copper resource in NSW.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming step-out drilling confirm the northern extension of the copper system?
- What are the potential scale and grade continuity of the mineralisation beyond the current drill footprint?
- How might these exploration results impact Lachlan Star’s valuation and strategic partnerships?