Castile Resources has successfully detected Iron Ore, Copper, and Gold mineralisation at Pathfinder 38 using innovative Ambient Noise Tomography Survey technology, marking a first in exploration targeting. This breakthrough could redefine the company’s strategy to expand its Rover 1 style deposits.
- First successful use of Ambient Noise Tomography Survey (ANT) to detect IOCG mineralisation
- Drill hole 25P38D001 intersected multiple alteration zones indicative of mineralisation
- Elevated copper levels up to 770ppm detected alongside magnetite and pyrite alterations
- Northern Territory Government partially funded the drilling through a collaboration program
- Plans underway for further downhole magnetic surveys and additional ANT targeting
A New Frontier in Mineral Exploration
Castile Resources Limited has announced a significant milestone in its Tennant Creek exploration campaign with the detection of Iron Ore, Copper, and Gold (IOCG) mineralisation at Pathfinder 38. This discovery is notable not only for the mineralisation itself but also because it represents the first time an Ambient Noise Tomography Survey (ANT) has successfully guided drilling to an IOCG formation.
The company’s drill hole 25P38D001 intersected several alteration zones associated with IOCG mineralisation, including a distal silica-hematite zone, a magnetite replacement zone with pyrite, and a chlorite alteration zone exhibiting copper concentrations up to 30 times background levels. These findings suggest the presence of a substantial mineralised system, with the magnetic anomaly source still to be fully accounted for.
Implications for Castile’s Exploration Strategy
Mark Hepburn, Managing Director of Castile, expressed enthusiasm about the breakthrough, highlighting the value of ANT technology in refining exploration targeting. The ability to benchmark ANT results against known geology at Pathfinder 38 offers a promising pathway to identify additional high-value deposits similar to the company’s flagship Rover 1 project.
Castile’s broader strategy involves a “hub and spoke” approach, leveraging the Rover Mineral Field’s potential to build a robust inventory of deposits. The successful use of ANT technology could accelerate this process by improving the precision of drill targeting under cover, reducing exploration risk and cost.
Collaborative Support and Next Steps
The drilling at Pathfinder 38 was partially funded by the Northern Territory Government’s Geophysics and Drilling Collaboration program, underscoring the regional support for advancing mineral exploration. Castile plans to conduct a downhole magnetic survey in the current drill hole to better understand the magnetic source and will undertake further ANT surveys to identify new drilling targets.
While the initial results are encouraging, the company acknowledges that further work is required to delineate the extent and economic viability of the mineralisation. The ongoing integration of geophysical data and drilling results will be critical to advancing Pathfinder 38 towards resource definition.
Bottom Line?
Castile’s pioneering use of ANT technology at Pathfinder 38 could unlock new IOCG deposits, but the journey from discovery to development is just beginning.
Questions in the middle?
- How extensive and economically viable is the IOCG mineralisation at Pathfinder 38?
- What are the timelines and funding plans for follow-up drilling and surveys?
- Can ANT technology be scaled effectively across other prospective areas in the Rover Mineral Field?