Could Bluebird East Replicate Tennant Minerals’ High-Grade Copper Success?

A New Copper Target Emerges at Bluebird East

Tennant Minerals Ltd has revealed a compelling new copper anomaly at its Bluebird East prospect, located northeast of the already well-known Bluebird high-grade copper-gold deposit in the Tennant Creek region. This discovery stems from a detailed review of historical shallow drilling data, which identified a copper-in-ironstone anomaly extending over at least 250 metres along strike. The anomaly's copper concentrations, ranging from over 100ppm up to 1,200ppm, closely resemble the geochemical footprint that preceded the original Bluebird discovery.

Historical Data Points to Untapped Potential

What makes Bluebird East particularly intriguing is the limited drilling below 50 metres depth, leaving a substantial volume of the subsurface untested. Previous shallow drilling primarily sampled the weathered zone, which is typically leached of copper, masking the presence of deeper mineralisation. Tennant Minerals’ recent slimline reverse circulation (SLRC) drilling has confirmed iron enrichment in the subsurface, a hallmark of the mineralised ironstone units that host copper-gold mineralisation in the region. While initial composite assays from this drilling did not reveal significant copper or gold, more detailed one-metre interval assays are awaited to clarify the anomaly’s true potential.

Strategic Follow-Up and Resource Expansion

The company is preparing a follow-up drilling program designed to test the copper anomaly at depths below the base of oxidation, aiming to intersect fresh mineralisation. Concurrently, ongoing geological interpretation at Bluebird itself seeks to extend known high-grade zones, which remain open to the west and down plunge. This dual approach underscores Tennant Minerals’ strategy to both expand existing resources and explore new targets within the Barkly Project area.

Context Within the Tennant Creek District

The Bluebird deposit is a classic example of a “blind” discovery, where mineralisation is concealed beneath shallow cover and weathered rock, a common feature in the Tennant Creek field. The identification of a similar copper anomaly at Bluebird East suggests the potential for a repeat discovery scenario. This is supported by geophysical data showing coincident magnetic and gravity anomalies aligned with the copper-in-ironstone signature, reinforcing the prospectivity of the area.

Looking Ahead

Tennant Minerals’ CEO Vincent Algar highlighted the significance of the findings, noting the anomaly’s size and intensity as comparable to the pre-discovery footprint of Bluebird. With detailed assays pending and a follow-up drilling campaign imminent, the company is poised to test whether Bluebird East can deliver a new high-grade copper-gold resource. Success here could materially enhance Tennant Minerals’ position in one of Australia’s most prolific copper-gold provinces.