Rae Project Drilling Yields 63m at 2.23% Copper and 72m at 1.08% Copper
White Cliff Minerals has reported further high-grade copper intercepts from its 2025 drilling campaign at the Rae Copper Project in Nunavut, confirming a shallow, open copper system with promising development potential.
- 63m at 2.23% copper and 7.1g/t silver from surface
- 72m at 1.08% copper including 14m at 2.32% copper
- Historic resource estimate of 4.16 million tons at 2.96% copper
- Pre-collar drilling complete at Hulk target, diamond drilling planned
- Advancing airborne geophysical surveys to refine exploration targets
Strong Assay Results Confirm Shallow Copper System
White Cliff Minerals Limited (ASX: WCN) has released encouraging assay results from its ongoing reverse circulation drilling program at the Rae Copper Project, located in Nunavut, Canada. The latest results include a standout intercept of 63 metres grading 2.23% copper and 7.1 grams per tonne silver starting near surface, alongside a 72-metre interval at 1.08% copper that contains a higher-grade 14-metre section at 2.32% copper. These findings reinforce the presence of a high-grade copper system that remains open both at depth and along strike, highlighting the project’s significant exploration upside.
Building on a Historic Resource with Modern Exploration
The Rae Project hosts a historic resource estimate of approximately 4.16 million tons at 2.96% copper, though this estimate predates current reporting standards and requires validation through further drilling and modern assay techniques. White Cliff’s recent drilling has begun to fill this gap, with the company aiming to deliver a maiden JORC-compliant resource in due course. The drilling campaign has also identified previously untested extensions of mineralisation, suggesting the potential to expand the known copper footprint.
Strategic Advancements and Infrastructure Benefits
Alongside drilling, White Cliff has completed pre-collar drilling at the Hulk target, setting the stage for an upcoming diamond drilling campaign. The company is also progressing plans for targeted airborne geophysical surveys across the 9.1-kilometre Danvers fault zone, which will help refine future drill targets. Importantly, the Rae Project benefits from improving regional infrastructure, including proximity to the deep-water port of Kugluktuk, less than 80 kilometres by road, and enhanced access via Yellowknife. These logistical advantages could accelerate development timelines and improve project economics.
Environmental and Regulatory Context
White Cliff holds all necessary permits for exploration, including a type B water license and a Class A Land Use Permit, and has secured permissions from local Indigenous groups. The company acknowledges the importance of environmental stewardship in this sensitive Arctic region and plans to incorporate these considerations into ongoing and future work programs.
Looking Ahead
With drilling ongoing and further assay results pending, White Cliff Minerals is well-positioned to advance the Rae Copper Project toward a more definitive resource estimate. The combination of high-grade near-surface mineralisation, expanding exploration targets, and supportive infrastructure developments makes Rae a compelling copper exploration story to watch in 2025.
Bottom Line?
White Cliff Minerals’ Rae Project is emerging as a significant high-grade copper opportunity, with upcoming drilling and surveys set to unlock its full potential.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming diamond drilling at Hulk refine the project’s resource potential?
- What impact will regional infrastructure developments have on project economics?
- When can investors expect a maiden JORC-compliant resource estimate?