Storm Project Targets High-Grade Copper Zones in 2025 Expansion
American West Metals is launching a comprehensive 2025 exploration campaign at its Storm Copper Project in Nunavut, targeting resource expansion and new discoveries along a 110km copper belt.
- 2025 drilling program targets large-scale copper prospects and resource expansion
- Focus on high-grade zones: Cyclone Deeps, Cirrus Deeps, and The Gap
- Mobile Magneto-Telluric geophysical survey to enhance target identification
- Logistics improvements reduce 2025 costs by approximately $4 million
- Regional exploration along Midway-Storm-Tornado corridor to unlock new discoveries
Setting the Stage for Growth
American West Metals Limited (ASX: AW1) is gearing up for a pivotal year at its Storm Copper Project, located on Somerset Island in Nunavut, Canada. The company has announced the commencement of a high-impact exploration and development program for 2025, aiming to build on the momentum from last year’s high-grade copper discoveries and the recently completed Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA).
With a strategic focus on expanding the mineral resource estimate (MRE) and advancing pre-feasibility studies, the program promises to unlock further value from the project’s extensive 110-kilometre prospective copper horizon. This vast belt remains largely underexplored, presenting significant upside potential for new discoveries.
Targeting High-Grade Zones and Regional Prospects
The 2025 drilling campaign will concentrate on both near-mine resource expansion and regional exploration. Key targets within the Storm MRE area include Cyclone Deeps, Cirrus Deeps, and The Gap Prospect, each representing promising high-grade copper zones not yet incorporated into the current resource base. For instance, Cyclone Deeps has already yielded encouraging drill results such as 10 metres at 1.2% copper, with potential extensions at depth.
Beyond the immediate resource area, the company is prioritizing exploration along the Midway-Storm-Tornado corridor, a 20-kilometre mineralized trend where copper mineralization has been identified over a significant strike length. Notable prospects like Tornado/Blizzard and Midway feature compelling geochemical and geophysical anomalies, including large electromagnetic plates and thick intervals of visual copper sulphides from historical drilling.
Innovative Geophysics and Cost-Efficient Logistics
To sharpen drill targeting, American West Metals plans to deploy a Mobile Magneto-Telluric (MMT) survey early in the field season. This advanced geophysical technique offers improved depth resolution and contrast between host rocks and conductive mineralization, particularly useful for detecting deeper copper sulphide bodies beyond 200 metres.
Logistical preparations are well advanced, with a sealift operation completed in late 2024 delivering bulk supplies to site. This initiative is expected to streamline operations and reduce 2025 field season costs by approximately $4 million, a significant saving that enhances the project’s economic outlook.
Looking Ahead
Managing Director Dave O’Neill highlighted the program’s potential to rapidly expand the resource base and extend mine life. He emphasized the vast unexplored potential along the regional copper belt and the company’s commitment to integrating geophysical data with drilling results to maximize discovery success. The upcoming months will be critical as drilling progresses and new data emerges, potentially reshaping the project’s development trajectory.
Bottom Line?
As drilling and geophysics ramp up, American West Metals is poised to redefine the Storm Project’s resource potential and market standing.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the upcoming MMT survey results influence drill targeting and resource estimates?
- What are the timelines and expected milestones for incorporating new discoveries into the MRE?
- How might cost savings from logistics improvements impact the project’s overall economics and funding strategy?
