Superior Resources Unveils High-Grade Copper-Gold Targets at Halls Reward Mine
Superior Resources has identified compelling high-grade copper, gold, and silver mineralisation at the historic Halls Reward Mine, revealing significant unmined extensions and multiple new targets for exploration.
- Historical data confirms exceptional high-grade Cu-Au-Ag mineralisation at Halls Reward
- Shallow drill intercepts indicate unmined extensions south of old workings
- Multiple parallel lodes identified, including a new subparallel lode 200m west
- Planned EM geophysical surveys to define conductive targets prior to drilling
- Halls Reward complements Superior’s broader Greenvale Project copper-gold portfolio
Historic High-Grade Legacy Revisited
Superior Resources Limited (ASX:SPQ) has breathed new life into the long-dormant Halls Reward Cu-Au-Ag Mine in northeast Queensland. Originally mined until the late 1950s, the deposit yielded exceptionally high grades averaging 17% copper, 5 g/t gold, and 23 g/t silver from approximately 11,500 tonnes of ore. Recent compilation of historical drilling data alongside Superior’s own field reconnaissance has revealed that this high-grade mineralisation extends beyond previously mined areas, presenting a tantalising exploration opportunity.
Unmined Extensions and Multiple Lodes
Diamond drilling from the 1950s, re-examined by Superior, shows shallow, high-grade copper intercepts immediately south of the old workings, including standout results such as 4.0m at 8.8% Cu and 7.0m at 3.5% Cu. These intercepts suggest the mineralised shoot remains open and largely untested for up to 2 kilometres along strike. What's more, Superior’s recent rock chip and mullock sampling returned impressive assays, with copper grades exceeding 20% in some samples and gold grades up to 14.5 g/t, underscoring the deposit’s rich metal endowment.
Adding to the prospectivity, drilling from the 1990s identified a new subparallel lode approximately 200 metres west of the main mine, with intercepts such as 21m at 0.84% Cu, indicating a cluster of mineralised structures rather than a single lode. This aligns with the interpretation of Halls Reward as a Cyprus-style volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposit, known for occurring in clusters along structural corridors.
Strategic Exploration Plans Ahead
Recognising the conductive nature of the copper mineralisation, dominated by chalcocite, native copper, and chalcopyrite, Superior plans to deploy electromagnetic (EM) geophysical surveys to delineate subsurface conductors. These surveys will guide targeted drilling campaigns aimed at confirming and expanding the known mineralisation. The company’s strategy is to leverage these ‘low hanging fruit’ high-grade targets alongside its larger porphyry copper-gold systems at Bottletree and Cockie Creek, building a diversified pipeline of copper-gold assets within the Greenvale Project.
Managing Director Peter Hwang highlighted the significance of Halls Reward within Superior’s portfolio, noting its potential to contribute to an early-stage hub-and-spoke production centre. He emphasised the relatively low cost and high impact of the planned exploration activities, which include extending soil geochemical surveys and conducting a maiden drilling program to test the newly identified targets.
Broader Context Within Greenvale
The Greenvale Project spans over 2,300 square kilometres in a geologically rich region, hosting multiple high-grade copper-gold-silver prospects. Alongside Halls Reward, Superior is advancing the Steam Engine Gold Project, currently undergoing feasibility studies, and preparing to release a maiden JORC Mineral Resource Estimate for the Cockie Creek porphyry prospect. The company recently secured a Queensland Government CEI grant to drill at Bottletree, underscoring the project’s growing momentum.
Superior’s integrated approach, combining high-grade VMS-style deposits with large-scale porphyry systems, positions it well to capitalise on rising copper and gold market fundamentals. The company’s exploration success at Halls Reward adds a compelling chapter to this narrative, potentially accelerating value creation for shareholders.
Bottom Line?
Superior’s methodical unlocking of Halls Reward’s high-grade potential could be a catalyst for the Greenvale Project’s next growth phase.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the upcoming EM surveys refine drilling targets and impact resource estimates?
- What are the timelines and budgets allocated for the maiden drilling program at Halls Reward?
- Could Halls Reward’s high-grade zones accelerate Superior’s pathway to production compared to its porphyry projects?