Future Metals Unveils 4.5km Copper-Nickel Discovery at Eileen Bore
Future Metals NL has confirmed a significant copper-nickel mineralised intrusion extending 4.5km at its Eileen Bore Prospect, marking a major step forward in its exploration campaign.
- Drilling confirms 4.5km mineralised intrusion at Eileen Bore
- Notable intercepts include 30m @ 1.06% Cu, 0.45% Ni, 1.14g/t PGM
- New target area drilled for first time with promising sulphide intersections
- Ground gravity survey reveals fault offset and extensive mineralisation
- Future exploration planned to expand and define resource potential
Significant Discovery at Eileen Bore
Future Metals NL (ASX: FME) has announced a breakthrough in its exploration efforts at the Eileen Bore Prospect within the Alice Downs Corridor, Western Australia. Recent drilling and ground gravity surveys have delineated a substantial 4.5-kilometre-long mineralised intrusion hosting copper, nickel, and platinum group metals (PGM). This discovery represents a significant advancement in the company’s copper-nickel exploration strategy.
The drilling program, co-funded by a government Exploration Incentive Scheme grant, comprised four diamond holes totaling 1,195 metres. Two holes targeted extensions of known mineralisation at Eileen Bore, while two others tested a previously undrilled adjacent target area. The results confirmed continuity and expansion of mineralisation, with highlights including a 30-metre intercept grading 1.06% copper, 0.45% nickel, and 1.14 grams per tonne of combined PGMs from 88.9 metres depth.
Geophysical Insights and Structural Interpretation
Complementing the drilling, a detailed ground gravity survey revealed that the mineralised zone at Eileen Bore has been faulted approximately 300 metres north of the main intrusion. This structural offset had previously obscured the full extent of the mineralised system. The gravity data now outlines a continuous 4.5km NE-trending ultramafic-mafic intrusion with internal density variations and faulting, which had not been drilled before.
Drill holes in the northern part of this intrusion intersected 127 metres of anomalous magmatic sulphides, including a 7.4-metre interval with 0.46% copper, 0.51% nickel, and 0.3g/t PGM. These sulphides occur within fertile pyroxenite, indicating a robust magmatic sulphide system with potential for further high-grade zones.
Historical Context and Future Exploration
The Eileen Bore area has a rich exploration history dating back to the 1970s, with multiple companies identifying copper-nickel sulphide mineralisation along the Alice Downs Fault structural corridor. However, the newly defined 4.5km intrusion and its fault offset represent a fresh geological interpretation that significantly expands the prospect’s potential.
Future Metals plans to conduct ground electromagnetic (EM) surveys to refine drill targets within this extensive intrusion. The southeastern extension, known as Target 3, remains untested by drilling but shows strong soil and density anomalies, suggesting further upside. The company’s systematic approach combining geophysics, drilling, and geochemical sampling aims to delineate a substantial resource in this emerging copper-nickel province.
Strategic Implications
This discovery aligns with growing market interest in battery metals and PGMs, critical for clean energy technologies and industrial applications. The grades and widths reported are encouraging for a magmatic sulphide system, and the scale of the intrusion offers significant exploration upside. Future Metals’ ability to leverage government co-funding and advanced geophysical techniques enhances its capacity to rapidly advance the project.
Bottom Line?
With a newly defined 4.5km mineralised intrusion, Future Metals is poised to unlock significant value at Eileen Bore as exploration accelerates.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming ground EM surveys refine the drilling targets within the 4.5km intrusion?
- What is the potential scale and grade of a resource if the southeastern Target 3 area confirms mineralisation?
- How might evolving market demand for copper, nickel, and PGMs influence Future Metals’ development timeline?
